Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy told listeners on WABC Radio’s “The Cats Roundtable” that the state’s ranked‑choice voting system is “very confusing” and that the close Senate race between Democratic nominee Mary Peltola and incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan will not be decided for several more days.
Current vote totals and next steps
According to the latest figures, Peltola holds a narrow lead with 48.17% of the vote, ahead of Sullivan by just 637 votes. Because no candidate has reached the 50% threshold, Alaska law requires additional rounds of counting based on voters’ second and third choices. The next batches of ballots are scheduled for Friday, Nov. 13, and Wednesday, Nov. 18, which Governor Dunleavy said could “really determine” who takes the lead.
Ranked‑choice voting under scrutiny
Dunleavy noted that the ranked‑choice system itself was on the ballot in a recent referendum, with 51.85% voting against repealing it. He described the situation as “confusing” and emphasized that the state is still processing votes while investigating possible irregularities, including allegations of a “Decoy Dan” scheme intended to siphon votes from the Republican incumbent.
Allegations of a “Decoy Dan” plot
The governor claimed that an individual named Daniel J. Sullivan attempted to appear on the ballot using the incumbent’s middle initial, potentially confusing voters. He said the Division of Elections initially rejected the candidacy, but a court ruling ultimately allowed the name to remain on the ballot. After a New York Times report linked the scheme to Peltola’s campaign, Dunleavy reopened the investigation, and the Department of Justice has also begun looking into the matter.
Impact on Alaskans
Alaskans who rely on clear election results are left waiting for final certification. The governor urged patience, stating, “We’re still in the process of bringing in votes and counting votes,” and promised that any wrongdoing, including possible perjury or misrepresentation of voter intent, will be thoroughly examined.
What voters should know
Alaska’s ranked‑choice system requires that if no candidate reaches a majority by Nov. 25, the election moves to additional counting rounds using voters’ ranked preferences. Residents should stay informed about the upcoming vote batches and any official updates from the Division of Elections.
While the investigation continues, the focus remains on ensuring a transparent and accurate count that reflects the will of Alaskan voters.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
