Alaska election results hang in balance as ranked voting system delays final calls

Alaska election officials are not expected to declare winners in the U.S. Senate or governor's races until at least November 18, a delay driven by the state's ranked choice voting system and extended windows for accepting overseas ballots.

The two races remain too close to call on first-choice votes alone. Under Alaska law, if no candidate secures more than 50 percent of first-choice ballots, officials must count subsequent rankings to determine a victor. Because the state accepts ballots from overseas voters for up to 15 days after the election, the full tally requires time that standard majority-rule elections do not.

The Senate race pits two-term Republican Senator Dan Sullivan against Democratic former Representative Mary Peltola. The contest has been marred by litigation and questions about a second candidate named Dan J. Sullivan, a retired teacher whose presence on the ballot raised concerns about voter confusion. The U.S. Department of Justice sued to block the certification of the race if Senator Sullivan lost, citing the potential mix-up with the retired teacher. A federal judge dismissed the suit, but the department has appealed the decision.

The dispute intensified last week when The New York Times reported that aides to Peltola’s campaign helped recruit Dan J. Sullivan. The report relied on interviews with a former campaign manager who was fired before the August primary, along with text messages and finance documents. Federal authorities have confirmed a criminal investigation into the matter. Peltola has denied any involvement, while Dan J. Sullivan has not responded to recent requests for comment. Senator Sullivan’s campaign expressed confidence in his lead on Wednesday, citing what it called the biggest election cheating scandal in Alaska’s history.

The race for governor features former state legislator Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, a Democrat, against three Republicans. Kreiss-Tomkins is seeking to become the first Democrat elected to the office since Tony Knowles served back-to-back terms from 1994 to 2002. The state had an independent governor from 2014 to 2018. Kreiss-Tomkins told supporters on election night that he was excited about the early results and framed himself as a consensus builder who would work across party lines to address state challenges.

The Republican field includes business owner Bernadette Wilson, former Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson, and former state Attorney General Treg Taylor. President Donald Trump endorsed Wilson and criticized the ranked voting system during a rally in Wasilla last month, calling the process a scam. He also targeted Bronson and Taylor on social media. State Republican leaders urged their voters to rank all three GOP candidates to maximize their chances of success. Wilson said in a statement Wednesday that she was cautiously optimistic for the days ahead.

Both campaigns have urged patience as the count proceeds. Peltola addressed supporters Tuesday night and acknowledged the complexity of counting ballots from rural communities that are often accessible only by air or water. She noted that the process ensures every vote from far-flung hinterland communities, military service members, and college students is counted. The state allows up to 10 days to receive absentee ballots sent from within the U.S.

A ballot measure also appeared on the general election ballot, asking voters for the second time in two years to repeal Alaska’s open primary and ranked choice general election system. Voters originally approved the system in 2020, and it took effect for the 2022 elections. A repeal effort was narrowly rejected by voters two years ago.

The outcome of the ballot measure remains undecided as of Wednesday, with the race for governor and the Senate seat still in the counting process.