Alaska voters are still deciding the outcome of several high‑profile races as the state continues to count more than 100,000 absentee and mail‑in ballots. The first batch of unofficial results, released early Saturday morning, indicates that many contests remain competitive, but recent numbers show Republicans gaining momentum.
U.S. Senate
Incumbent Republican Senator Dan S. Sullivan is narrowing the gap with Democratic challenger Mary Peltola. The latest first‑choice totals place Sullivan within 626 votes of Peltola, a margin that could easily swing in his favor once ranked‑choice tabulations are completed on November 18. Minor candidates Gerald Hiekes and Daniel J. Sullivan together account for roughly 4% of the counted votes, leaving the two‑person race essentially a head‑to‑head contest.
U.S. House
Republican Congressman Nick Begich has established a solid lead over independent challenger Bill Hill, holding 49.6% of the first‑choice votes that have been counted. Hill trails at 40.4%, while Democrat Eric Hafner, who is currently incarcerated in a New York prison, has 7.3% and Libertarian James “Jim” McDermott has 2.7% of the vote. Begich’s advantage is likely to expand as the remaining ballots are processed.
Governor’s Race
In the governor’s contest, combined Republican totals stand at 107,179 votes, compared with Democrat Jonathon Kreiss‑Tomkins’ 103,610 votes (49.2% of the counted total). The leading Republican, Bernadette Wilson, has captured 29.2% of the vote, more than double the first‑choice totals for former governor Dave Bronson and roughly four times the support for Treg Taylor. Over 45,000 ballots remain at risk of being exhausted if Bronson and Taylor supporters do not rank additional candidates.
Ballot Measures
Ballot Measure 2, which would repeal the top‑four open primary, ranked‑choice voting, and certain 2020 campaign‑finance provisions, is currently trailing with 51.9% “no” votes. The measure was expected to pass in 2024, but the final count then shifted to a “no” outcome. Measure 3, supporting citizen‑only voting, has passed decisively with approximately 70% approval.
Counting Process
As of now, 394 of Alaska’s 403 precincts have reported, and the figures presented are first‑choice totals only. Ranked‑choice tabulations will not begin until November 18, after the Division of Elections reviews and counts the remaining mail, absentee, questioned, and other eligible ballots. Absentee ballots may arrive up to 15 days after polls close, provided they are postmarked by Election Day, meaning the final outcome could still shift.
What This Means for Alaskans
The tightening margins underscore the importance of every vote in a state where ranked‑choice voting can dramatically alter final results. Republicans are positioned to potentially secure key statewide offices, which could influence Alaska’s policy direction on energy, natural resources, and federal‑state relations. Voters are encouraged to stay informed as the final counts are certified in the coming weeks.
Original reporting: Must Read Alaska (Anchorage) — read the source article.
