By — Becky Bohrer, Associated Press Becky Bohrer, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/alaskans-are-waiting-for-more-votes-in-senate-and-governors-races-both-could-go-to-ranked-tabulations Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Alaskans are waiting for more votes in Senate and governor's races. Both could go to ranked tabulations Politics Nov 5, 2026 12:11 PM EST JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Alaskans settled in Wednesday to await more results from key races on the general election ballot, including a bitterly fought U.S. Senate campaign and an open seat for governor. A ballot measure seeking to repeal Alaska's unique system of open primaries and ranked vote general elections also was too early to call. LIVE RESULTS: Alaska Senate midterm election If no candidate wins more than 50% of first-choice votes, rankings will come into play. Alaska accepts ballots from overseas voters for up to 15 days after the election, making Nov. 18 the date targeted by state elections officials to tabulate under the ranked vote system. Stand with free and independent journalism. Join Press Pass from PBS News The major candidates in the Senate race…
Alaskans are waiting for more votes in Senate and governor's races. Both could go to ranked tabulations
In short
If no candidate achieves more than 50% of first-choice votes, state election officials will rely on ranked tabulations scheduled for Nov. 18. This window accommodates domestic absentee ballots arriving within 10 days and overseas ballots arriving within 15 days of the election. The process coincides with an ongoing federal criminal investigation examining alleged recruitment of a spoiler candidate with the same name as the Republican Senate incumbent. Both major campaigns have publicly asked the electorate for patience while election workers process returns across the state.
Key points
- Federal authorities confirmed an active criminal investigation into allegations that oper…: Federal authorities confirmed an active criminal investigation into allegations that operatives allied with Mary Peltola recruited a third-party candidate.
- Former state lawmaker Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins is competing against three Republican oppon…: Former state lawmaker Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins is competing against three Republican opponents, including Trump-endorsed Bernadette Wilson, to secure the governorship.
- Voters are concurrently deciding the fate of a ballot measure that proposes repealing the…: Voters are concurrently deciding the fate of a ballot measure that proposes repealing the state's ranked-choice voting and open primary system.