Alaska Senate Race Unresolved as Candidates Expect Lengthy Ballot-Counting Process
Washington — The Senate race in Alaska remains undecided as Wednesday dawns, with a lengthy ballot-counting process expected due to the close contest between incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan and Democrat Mary Peltola.
Other candidates in the race include an independent, Daniel J. Sullivan, and a second Republican, Gerald Heikes.
As of Wednesday morning, with approximately three-quarters of the vote in, the race remains a dead heat, according to CBS News estimates.
Alaska's ranked-choice voting system could prolong the counting process. If no candidate secures more than 50% of first-place votes, a second round of tabulation will occur 15 days after Election Day, potentially stretching the outcome for weeks.
The Alaska results will come after Democrats have already secured control of the Senate by winning in several states once held by President Trump. Alaska's outcome could either strengthen the Democratic majority or limit their gains.
Another unresolved Senate race in Mississippi also remains too close to call as of Wednesday morning.
"The results are not going to be fast," Peltola told reporters early Wednesday. "But Alaskans are patient. We just want to make sure the folks [in] the Lower 48 know it won't be hours, it won't be days, it will be weeks."
Sen. Sullivan echoed this sentiment to his supporters: "We're going to have a long night," he said, adding, "We're probably going to have some long weeks."