Missouri primary too close to call; Trump, Clinton could face recount

JEFFERSON CITY, Miss., March 16 (UPI) -- With 100 percent of precincts reporting, both primaries in Missouri were too close to call early Wednesday morning and if absentee ballots don't make things clearer, second-place candidates Sens. Ted Cruz and Bernie Sanders could call for a recount.

Missouri officials are still waiting to count an unknown amount of absentee and provisional ballots. Absentee ballots sent from overseas will be accepted until Friday at noon.

For Republicans, 52 delegates are available and Donald Trump leads with 40.8 percent to Cruz's 40.6 percent -- a difference of 1,726 votes. For Democrats, 71 delegates are available and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton leads with 49.6 percent to Sanders' 49.4 percent -- a difference of 1,531 votes.

Missouri law permits the second-place finisher of the primary to request a recount of there is a margin of victory of less than half of a percent.

If Cruz and Sanders lose by less than half of a percent once all votes are counted, including overseas absentee ballots, either of them may request for a recount.

In other contests on Tuesday for Republicans, Trump won Florida, Illinois and North Carolina, while Ohio Gov. John Kasich won his home state. Clinton won Florida, Illinois, North Carolina and Ohio, potentially sweeping the Democratic contests if she wins Missouri.