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All eyes are on Alaska’s controversial Senate race… but here’s why we won’t find out the results for at least four more days
Developed over time first seen 1 day ago
Mary Peltola held a lead of 637 votes over Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan in Alaska’s closely watched Senate race, with about 74 per cent of ballots counted. The result drew scrutiny because a second candidate named Dan Sullivan received thousands of votes, amid allegations that he was recruited to confuse voters and hurt the incumbent; Peltola denied involvement.
About 3,500 votes went to the second Sullivan, while as many as 70,000 ballots remained to be processed. The largest batch was expected on 10 November, counting was due to finish by 18 November and official certification was scheduled for 25 November. If no candidate secured a majority of first-choice votes, Alaska’s ranked-choice process would redistribute votes from the lowest-placed candidate; the FBI was also investigating the alleged recruitment and had questioned Peltola’s former campaign manager, according to two sources.
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In short
- Peltola led Sullivan by 637 votes with about 74 per cent counted.
- A second Dan Sullivan received around 3,500 votes.
- The FBI questioned Peltola’s former campaign manager, according to sources.
How this story developed
- 17 hours ago The latest update says the FBI has accelerated its investigation into the alleged recruitment of a second candidate named Dan Sullivan, questioning Mary Peltola’s former campaign manager on Election Day, according to two sources.
- 23 hours ago Mary Peltola holds a lead of 637 votes over Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan in Alaska’s closely watched Senate race, with about 74 per cent of ballots counted.
- 23 hours ago Mary Peltola held a lead of 637 votes over Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan in Alaska’s closely watched Senate race, with about 74 per cent of ballots counted.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A close race with many ballots still uncounted should be decided only after the full count and any required ranked-choice redistribution, so waiting for the scheduled process protects voters’ confidence in the result. The second candidate’s presence and the FBI investigation make careful scrutiny especially important, while allegations should not be treated as proven or attributed to Peltola without evidence.
The case against
The delay may prolong uncertainty in a consequential contest, particularly when the current lead is narrow and voters are awaiting representation. If the remaining ballots and ranked-choice process can be handled accurately within the announced timetable, officials should communicate progress clearly and avoid allowing unverified allegations about candidate recruitment to cast doubt on the count.
Explained simply
Alaska’s Senate seat is contested by Democratic challenger Mary Peltola and Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan. Another candidate, also named Dan Sullivan, is running independently and has received about 3,500 votes. The two candidates with the same name have raised questions about how voters’ choices may affect the contest.
Alaska uses ranked-choice voting: if no candidate wins more than half of first-choice votes, ballots are redistributed according to voters’ later preferences. That means the final result may depend on both the remaining ballots and any redistribution. The Senate race matters because it will determine who represents Alaska in the US Senate.
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