Alaska governor updates vote count in tight Senate race

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R) said the state’s closely watched U.S. Senate contest remains tightly contested as officials continue to count ballots, telling WABC radio host John Catsimatidis that “it’s very close.” Dunleavy spoke about the state of the count in an interview aired on WABC, describing a narrow margin as officials work through outstanding ballots.

The governor did not provide detailed vote totals in the interview but emphasized the closeness of the race as Alaska election officials complete the canvass and finalize returns. His comments came amid ongoing tabulation across the state, where local election offices continue to process absentee and other ballots that arrive after election day or required additional review.

Why the result may take time

Even in races declared on election night, additional counting can continue for days or weeks while election offices verify and add late-arriving absentee ballots, correct clerical errors, and resolve provisional ballots. When margins are narrow, those remaining ballots can determine the final outcome, which lengthens the certification process and, in some instances, can prompt recounts or legal challenges depending on state rules and candidates’ decisions.

By describing the contest as “very close,” Dunleavy highlighted a familiar dynamic in tight elections: media projections and campaign statements on election night may not reflect the eventual certified results once all ballots are canvassed and certified by state and local officials.

National interest and local impact

The governor’s update underscored why Alaska’s Senate contest has drawn attention beyond the state. Close federal races can affect the balance of power in Washington and thus attract scrutiny from national political observers, campaigns and donors. At the same time, the mechanics that determine the final outcome—how absentee ballots are handled, the pace of county canvasses, and deadlines for certification—are managed at the state and local level.

Election administrators typically release regular updates as they tabulate remaining ballots and proceed toward official certification. Candidates and campaigns also issue statements during this window to reflect new counts or to announce whether they will seek recounts or pursue legal remedies if the margin remains extremely tight.

What to watch next

• Local election offices continuing to process and verify outstanding absentee and provisional ballots.
• Official updates from the state’s division of elections on the number of outstanding ballots and the timetable for certification.
• Any statements from the campaigns about accepting results, requesting recounts, or pursuing legal challenges if margins remain narrow.

Dunleavy’s remarks were delivered in an interview with John Catsimatidis on New York’s WABC radio. He framed the situation simply—“it’s very close”—as Alaska moved through the procedural steps that determine a race’s certified outcome. Further specifics on vote totals, anticipated timelines for certification, or any campaign plans were not provided in that interview.