Secretary of State Kris Kobach says a Democratic legislator has failed to convince a Sedgwick County judge to release the names of voters who cast provisional ballots.

Representative Geraldine Flaharty of Wichita filed the lawsuit Friday. She narrowly trails her Republican opponent, so those votes could help her.

Kobach says a judge ruled against Flaharty, citing a federal law protecting voters’ names. The Associated Press couldn’t obtain the judge’s order Friday night.

Provisional ballots are used when it’s unclear if a voter is at the correct polling place. The ballots are reviewed later.

A similar lawsuit was filed in Shawnee County by Democratic Representative Ann Mah of Topeka. But in that case, the judge ordered Friday that the names be released. Mah trails her Republican opponent by 27 votes.