The Alaska Division of Elections posted its first batch of unofficial results shortly after 8:30 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3. Only 45 of the state’s 401 precincts – about 11.22 percent – had reported, representing 65,588 ballots, roughly 10.83 percent of the registered voter base.
U.S. Senate
Democrat Mary Peltola leads with 35,324 first‑choice votes, or 54.13 percent of the ballots counted so far. Incumbent Republican Dan Sullivan trails with 27,940 votes (42.81 percent). Minor‑party candidates Gerald L. Heikes (Republican) and Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. (Republican) together account for less than 3 percent, and write‑ins total 151 votes (0.23 percent). The first‑choice total for the Senate race is 65,263.
While Peltola holds a clear early lead, the race is not yet decided. Alaska uses ranked‑choice voting, and the final outcome will depend on how the remaining 89 percent of ballots are redistributed if no candidate reaches a 50 percent majority after all votes are counted.
U.S. House
Nonpartisan candidate Bill Hill leads the at‑large House race with 30,786 first‑choice votes (47.32 percent). Incumbent Republican Nick Begich follows closely with 28,677 votes (44.08 percent). Democrat Eric Hafner received 4,278 votes (6.58 percent), Libertarian Jim McDermott 1,227 votes (1.89 percent), and write‑ins totaled 86 votes. The first‑choice total is 65,054.
Hill’s narrow edge reflects a competitive contest that will also be decided by the ranked‑choice tabulation scheduled for Nov. 18.
Governor / Lieutenant Governor
Democrat Jonathan “JKT” Kreiss‑Tomkins and nonpartisan running mate Zac Johnson lead the governor’s ticket with 35,837 first‑choice votes (55.29 percent). Republican ticket Bernadette Wilson and Mike Shower have 17,840 votes (27.52 percent). The Republican tickets of Dave Bronson & Josh Church and Treg Taylor & Candi English received 6,968 (10.75 percent) and 4,019 votes (6.20 percent) respectively, with write‑ins at 154.
Kreiss‑Tomkins currently outpaces the combined Republican tickets, but the margin could shift as additional precincts report.
Ballot Measures
Ballot Measure 2 (24ESEG), which would repeal the top‑four open primary, ranked‑choice voting, and certain 2020 campaign‑finance provisions, is trailing in the early count. Yes: 27,083 votes (43.26 percent); No: 35,526 votes (56.74 percent); total votes cast on the measure: 62,609.
Ballot Measure 3 (25USCV), proposing to amend statutory language to state that only a U.S. citizen may vote (without altering existing eligibility rules), is leading decisively. Yes: 40,608 votes (64.86 percent); No: 22,003 votes (35.14 percent).
The early margin on Measure 2 reflects only a small fraction of the expected total vote. Alaska voters have previously considered similar reforms; the current system was adopted by a narrow margin in 2020 and survived a close legal challenge in 2024.
What Comes Next
The Division of Elections will continue to update first‑choice totals as more precincts and ballots are processed. Ranked‑choice tabulations are scheduled for Nov. 18, after all mail, absentee, questioned and other eligible ballots are reviewed. All figures remain unofficial until certified.
Alaskans are encouraged to stay informed as the count progresses, recognizing that the ranked‑choice system ensures a majority winner while reflecting the diverse preferences of the electorate.
Original reporting: Must Read Alaska (Anchorage) — read the source article.
