Voters in Alaska must continue to be patient following the election. Both the bitterly contested race for a seat in the U.S. Senate and the election for the open governor's post have not yet been decided. The authorities need further counting rounds before it is clear who prevails in the two key races.
On Wednesday it became apparent that the state would have to keep waiting for additional vote results. The report on which this news item is based names no specific vote totals, leads or percentages. The exact status of both races is therefore open, and an end to the count is not yet in sight.
The ranked-choice procedure, which can be applied in Alaska, is of particular significance. In this so-called ranked-choice method, voters indicate several candidates in order of preference. If no candidate reaches the required majority in the first count, the votes of the weakest candidates are redistributed until a winner is determined. Should this procedure be applied, the decision in both races could be delayed accordingly.
The Senate campaign is considered one of the most hotly contested of the year in Alaska. It has greatly occupied the state's political landscape, since the outcome determines Alaska's representation in Washington. The governor's race is also an open contest, because no incumbent is running. Both results are likely to shape the direction of the state at the federal and state levels.
Until the final count, the outcome of both races remains uncertain. Voters, candidates and political observers in Alaska are waiting for the next results and for the decision on whether the ranked-choice procedure will be applied.