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DENVER — Colorado Republicans have taken the lead in the returned ballot race.

This is the first time the GOP has been ahead of Democrats in the early stages of voting in the state. The race remains extremely close.

David Flaherty with Magellan Strategies tweeted the news Friday night.

It's official! GOP now leads in ballots returned in CO by 80 ballots 1,659,478 tot 586,122 for Dems 35.3%, 586,202 for GOP 35.3% #copolitics — David Flaherty (@MagellanStrat) November 4, 2016

Magellan Strategies has been conducting voter opinion polling and survey research projects since 2006 in nearly every state in the country.

According to Flaherty, the GOP leads in ballot returns in Colorado with a tight lead of just 80 ballots.

A total of 1,659,478 ballots have been returned.

The number of Republican ballots received is 586,202. Democrats have returned 586,122 ballots.

Ballot returns are wrapping up and the last day of voting is Election Day.