HELENA - The Republicans appear to have maintained control of the Montana House, but by the smallest of margins.

A count of six provisional ballots in Lake County on Monday showed that Constitutional Party candidate Rick Jore of Ronan defeated Democrat Jeanne Windham of Polson in House District 12.

The final tally was 1,559 to 1,557. Jore picked up three of the provisional votes, Windham got two, and Republican Jack Cross of Polson got one. He finished a distant third with 1,108 votes.

Windham's two-vote loss, subject to a possible recount if she requests one, leaves the GOP with 50-49 edge in the House. A Windham victory would have created a 50-50 tie, the first deadlock in the House since 1985.

Republicans had majorities in the House since 1993.

The election of Jore, a former Republican representative, marks the first time since 1929 that a formal third party has held a seat in the Montana Legislature. The Farm Labor Party had one senator in that session.

Twelve independents have served in the Legislature since then, the last in 1961.

Provisional ballots were cast by people whose eligibility to vote at the polls Nov. 2 was questioned, some because they already voted absentee and others because they did not register in time. By law, county officials could not open provisional ballots deemed valid until Monday afternoon.

Elaine Graveley, head of the Elections and Legislative Bureau in the secretary of state's office, said Windham must wait until after the statewide canvass is completed Nov. 22 to request a recount. She will have five days after that to ask for one.

Windham intends to request a recount, said Brad Martin, executive director of the Montana Democratic Party.

Meanwhile, Republican and Democratic House leaders said they will gather in their respective caucuses next week and prepare for the 2005 session based on the unofficial outcome in District 12.

"We will organize as the minority party," said Minority Leader Dave Wanzenried, D-Missoula. "We'll accept whatever the voters give us and move ahead. I'm not disappointed."

He noted Democrats have continued to make up ground on the Republicans, whose 67-33 advantage in 1995 was cut to 53-47 by last session. In the Senate, where Republicans ruled 29-21 last year, the Democrats will hold a 27-23 edge in 2005. The Democrats also won the governor's office in last week's election.

"I'm encouraged by the fact that we made some gains," Wanzenried said. "The message across the board is that the public of Montana wanted new leadership and we've got that."

House Majority Leader Roy Brown, R-Billings, said the close balance in the House means both sides will have to work together to move legislation.

"Fifty votes is not a majority," he said. "We need help to get things done. We're going to work with everybody."

Brown, who is expected to be speaker, acknowledged Jore likely will vote with Republicans on most issues to give the GOP a 51-49 advantage. The challenge will be to keep a unified Republican caucus, he added.

"We're not going to be able to keep everybody on every vote," Brown said.