Alaska to count 50,000 more votes Wednesday
(CNN) - The roller coaster Alaska Senate race could take another turn Wednesday when election officials there plan to count some 50,000 absentee and early ballots which previously have not been totalled.
Alaska's unofficial tally currently shows incumbent Republican Sen. Ted Stevens leading Democratic opponent Mark Begich 48 percent to 46.6 percent. Stevens, a political juggernaut in Washington, is clutching that narrow lead even after a jury found him guilty of seven felony corruption counts last month. The 40-year senator insists he is innocent.
Stevens and Begich are currently separated by just 3,257 votes, according to the Alaska Division of Elections Web site.
But those numbers primarily reflect votes cast on Election Day. In a statement, Alaska elections officials said that no absentee or early votes have been counted yet because the state wanted to check each one against precinct voter lists.
The officials estimate some 50,000 of the uncounted votes have now been cross-checked and will be counted Wednesday.
That could provide a big bounce for either candidate, but it may not end things. State figures indicate another 20,000 early and absentee votes are still being authenticated and will not be tallied yet.
From CNN Politics
- Progressive group launches $3.2 million advertising buy to push federal voting law March 23, 2021 11:01 am
- US and allies announce sanctions against Chinese officials for 'serious human rights abuses' against Uyghurs March 23, 2021 10:32 am
- Trump's army takes aim at 2022 touting his election lies March 23, 2021 05:01 am
- Why Republican voter restrictions are a race against time March 23, 2021 04:27 am
- Warnock's seat comes into focus amid battle over voting laws and filibuster rules March 23, 2021 03:06 am
- White House aides prep $3 trillion jobs package for Biden March 23, 2021 02:30 am
I'm surprised that there is anyone in Alaska that can count.
They elect a convicted felon to congress and an airhead governor. Maybe it is from standing outside bareheaded looking at Russia.
I would like to think that this could only happen in Alaska...but I am 100% confident that it could happen in many other "republican" states.
To all those who are wondering why it is taking so long to count the absentee votes:
If you read the article carefully, it states that they were waiting to confirm that the owners of these ballots were legitimate. Apparently it takes a while to send the dog sled teams out to the homes to see if the people actually DID live where they said.
Moderator how did you let the comments an possible threat of
Joe November 11th, 2008 2:40 pm ET, get by?
This should not even be an issue. Stevens was convicted of a felony.
His name should have been taken of the ballot. I am not sure what the people of AK are thinking; but I am still trying to figure out how Palin got elected Gov.
WHO VOTES CONVICTED FELONS INTO OFFICE?</b?
Republicans
Please help us.This is from KTUU News in Anchorage "under state law absentee ballots had to be postmarked by Election Day. But the state will still accept those mailed in the United States through this Friday. " They are breaking the state law and allowing to count votes postmarked by this friday!!!
Even if Senator Stevens wins, he should resign anyway. With whoever Palin chooses, it will be a clean start for the state.