ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp has ordered a ballot recount in the Republican state school superintendent primary runoff.

Kemp said in a statement Tuesday the recount was requested candidate Michael L. Buck, who currently serves as chief academic officer of the Georgia Department of Education.

Unofficial tallies after the July 22 race showed that Irwin County educator Richard Woods earned just over 50 percent of votes and the two were separated by less than 1 percent of total votes.

Kemp says the recount will be conducted by each election superintendent and is expected to be completed before noon on Thursday.