Attorneys for a supporter of the GOP candidate and Democratic nominee in Southern Arizona’s 2^nd Congressional District have reached an agreement on what to do with 130 contested provisional ballots cast in Cochise County. From Phoenix, KJZZ’s Mark Brodie has more.

MARK BRODIE: Cochise County election officials will be able to count the ballots, after attorneys for the two sides reached a settlement Tuesday. But, a Deputy Cochise County Attorney tells the Associated Press the votes will be recorded separately, to allow for a new challenge if those ballots prove decisive in the race. One of GOP candidate Martha McSally’s supporters had filed suit in Cochise County Superior Court, arguing election officials mishandled three precincts' provisional ballots by not sealing them in envelopes. And, the suit said officials should not count those 130 provisional ballots, to avoid contaminating election results. The race between McSally and Democrat Ron Barber has been neck and neck since Election Day - a winner has not yet been declared. In separate statements sent out late Tuesday, both Barber’s campaign and the National Republican Congressional Committee say they’re pleased with the settlement.

Updated on 11/13/2012 at 4:59 pm