Mississippi and Alaska Senate Races Undecided Amid Vote Counts
The outcomes of U.S. Senate races in Mississippi and Alaska remain uncertain days after the election, with narrow margins and legal challenges delaying final results, though Democrats have already secured control of the chamber.
Two U.S. Senate races remain unresolved, with vote counts and legal challenges creating uncertainty in Mississippi and Alaska. Democrat Scott Colom leads incumbent Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith by 1,138 votes in Mississippi, while in Alaska, Democrat Mary Peltola leads Republican Senator Dan Sullivan by 637 votes. Democrats have already secured control of the Senate, making these results irrelevant to the chamber's balance of power, but the close contests highlight procedural complexities that can delay final outcomes.
Approximately 3,600 mail-in ballots and an unknown number of affidavit ballots remain to be counted in Mississippi. The state allows 10 days to process affidavit ballots and 5 business days for mail-in ballots to be received after the election. Mississippi will count provisional and mail-in ballots into November, with a November 10 deadline for voters to verify photo ID for affidavit ballots. Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson stated counties have until November 13 to submit certified results. The state does not require a majority for victory in federal general elections, so the candidate with the most votes wins. Mississippi has no automatic recount provision and requires a court order to initiate one.
Alaska's Ranked-Choice Voting Creates Uncertainty
Alaska's Senate race is complicated by ranked-choice voting rules requiring a second round if no candidate wins over 50% of first-choice votes. With 74% of ballots counted, nearly a quarter of votes remain uncounted. Alaska is one of only two states using ranked-choice voting for statewide elections. The system can result in multiple rounds of vote tallying until a candidate secures a majority. Alaska accepts mailed ballots for up to 10 days after election day and ballots from abroad for up to 15 days, provided they were sent by November 3. The ranked-choice tabulation is scheduled for November 18 to allow time for overseas ballots.
Justice Department Lawsuit Targets Alaska Certification
The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit alleging voter confusion between Senator Dan S. Sullivan and independent candidate Dan J. Sullivan. The suit claimed his candidacy was intended to mislead voters and potentially alter the election outcome. A federal judge dismissed the suit on November 1. President Donald Trump directed the Justice Department to file the lawsuit to block Alaska's Senate election results if Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan loses. The Justice Department argues voter confusion could impact the election result if Dan J. Sullivan's votes were reallocated to Sen. Dan S. Sullivan under Alaska's rank-choice process. Stanley Woodward, the number-three ranking official at the Department of Justice, wrote the filing stating that election certification must be blocked if results are tainted by voter confusion. A Justice Department spokesperson stated that Alaska's Division of Elections determined Dan J. Sullivan's candidacy was intended to mislead voters and compromise ballot fairness. Dan J. Sullivan is running as an independent candidate with no party affiliation and has previously voted for both Democrats and Republicans. The Alaska Supreme Court ordered Dan J. Sullivan to remain on the ballot after rejecting an earlier legal challenge. Peltola's campaign called the suit a 'despicable political threat to overturn an election'.
Legal and Procedural Complexities Delay Final Results
Both states face extended vote-counting timelines due to mail-in ballot processing rules and affidavit ballot verification deadlines. The absence of automatic recount mechanisms requires court orders to initiate recounts, adding another layer of potential delay. Alaska's Republican governor, Mike Dunleavy, ordered a state investigation and suggested he may not certify a Peltola victory. A federal judge dismissed the DOJ lawsuit on Sunday, but the department pledged to appeal if Peltola wins. The November 13 certification deadline for Mississippi and November 18 final tabulation deadline for Alaska will determine when the final results are officially known.
