The Senate race in Alaska remains unresolved as of Wednesday morning, with incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan and Democrat Mary Peltola in a tight contest that faces a potentially lengthy ballot-counting process. With around three-quarters of the vote in as of Wednesday morning, the race remains a toss-up, according to CBS News estimates. The outcome depends on Alaska's ranked-choice voting system, which requires a final tabulation 15 days after Election Day if no candidate secures more than 50% of first-place votes.
Alaska uses a ranked-choice voting system that allows voters to rank as many or as few candidates as they'd like in order of preference. If no candidate secures support from more than 50% of voters as their top choice, the count goes to a second round. The ranked-choice tabulation doesn't occur until the last counting of ballots 15 days after Election Day, meaning the process could drag on for weeks if one candidate does not secure more than 50% of first-place support on the ballot. Two other candidates remain on the ballot: an independent candidate and retired teacher Daniel J. Sullivan, and another Republican, Gerald Heikes.
What the Right Is Saying
Sen. Dan Sullivan, the Republican incumbent, also prepared his supporters for a prolonged counting period. Sen. Sullivan likewise emphasized to supporters, "We're going to have a long night," adding, "We're probably going to have some long weeks." He emphasized that the final outcome would depend on the redistribution of votes through the ranked-choice process.
For Republicans, the Alaska contest offers a chance to blunt further Democratic gains in the Senate. While the party has conceded control of the chamber based on current projections, a win in Alaska would deliver some relief to Republicans by blunting additional Democratic gains. Sullivan's camp remains focused on the initial vote totals and the potential for second-round preferences to favor the incumbent.
What the Left Is Saying
Mary Peltola, the Democratic candidate, acknowledged the delay inherent in the state's voting laws while emphasizing the need for accuracy. Speaking to reporters early Wednesday morning, Peltola said, "The results are not going to be fast." She noted that Alaskans are patient and willing to wait for a complete count.
Peltola addressed the broader national audience, clarifying that the process would extend beyond a single night. "But Alaskans are patient," she said. "We just want to make sure the folks for the lower 48 know it won't be hours, it won't be days, it will be weeks." Democratic leaders view the Alaska race as a potential opportunity to expand their newly secured Senate majority, though the party has already won control of the chamber in other key states.
What the Numbers Show
As of Wednesday morning, around three-quarters of the votes had been counted in Alaska. CBS News estimates the race remains a toss-up, meaning neither candidate has yet secured a definitive lead that would preclude the need for ranked-choice tabulation. Under Alaska law, the final tally occurs 15 days after Election Day.
Democrats have already secured enough seats nationwide to take control of the Senate, winning in several states that President Trump won by double digits in 2024. The Alaska race is one of two remaining unresolved Senate contests, with the other being the Mississippi race. The final seat count in Alaska could either add to the Democrats' majority, or deliver some relief to Republicans by blunting additional Democratic gains.
The Bottom Line
The resolution of the Alaska Senate race will not occur until the final ranked-choice tabulation is completed, a process that extends at least 15 days past Election Day. Both candidates have publicly stated expectations for a multi-week timeline. The result will determine whether the Democratic Senate majority expands or if Republicans can limit the scope of that majority. The state's unique voting system ensures that the final outcome depends not only on initial vote shares but also on voter preferences among eliminated candidates.