Why the Alaska Senate race could be so slow — and controversial — to decide

Control of the Senate could hinge on Alaska, and the state's counting rules mean a winner might not be known for roughly two weeks. Ballots mailed from within the U. S. may arrive up to 10 days after the vote, and those from abroad up to 15. If no candidate clears 50% in the first round, ranked choice tabulation finishes only after that window closes. Election officials and experts say the delay is built into the system, and Russell Luke of the University of Alaska Fairbanks stressed it signals no manipulation. They warn that a long wait can invite false cheating claims, according to CNN.

Tension is already high. After The New York Times reported on Democratic involvement in placing a second Dan Sullivan, listed as Daniel J. Sullivan, on the ballot, Governor Mike Dunleavy opened an investigation. He told NewsNation that if it finds wrongdoing, certification could be stopped or changed if Senator Dan Sullivan loses to Democrat Mary Peltola. Election law specialists, including David Becker and Derek Muller, say a governor cannot simply refuse certification, and a court could order someone else to do it. A losing candidate could sue over fraud, though Muller calls that a high hurdle.

Summarized by PolitiKool from CNN’s reporting. Read the full story at CNN →