http://divasblueoasis.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=308We are cautiously optimistic about the outcome of the Election. More than 59,000 ballots were counted yesterday, and Mark Begich is now up by 814 votes. Included in yesterday's ballots were conservative areas like the Mat-Su Valley (home of Governor Palin), South Anchorage (including the hillside and Girdwood - home of Senator Stevens), and the Kenai Peninsula. Of the districts not counted on Wednesday, Begich won all of them on Election Day (for full disclosure, these are regions that have smaller populations).
There are several things worth noting about the outstanding ballots. Generally, questioned (provisional) ballots lean slightly Democratic, and it appears the majority of questioned ballots will be included. For the most part, the absentee ballots that have not been counted were cast after Senator Stevens' felony conviction. While Republicans often assert the military votes usually go Republican, that is not necessarily the case in Alaska . Not only did Begich carry the military bases during his run for Anchorage Mayor, but on Election Day, Begich won Elmendorf Air Force Base, Fort Richardson, and Fort Wainwright . The majority of voters in Alaska are independents, unaffiliated or nonpartisan. While Republicans often say that these voters will lean Republican, we have to remember, this isn't just any Election where independent voters are following past trends. It's not every election that the incumbent U.S. Senator was recently convicted in federal court. While we expect the margin could narrow as additional votes are counted, we are optimistic that Begich will end up on top.
Answers to your questions:
What's left to be counted?
Around 12 percent of the ballots remain outstanding. There are 25,789 early votes and absentee ballots remaining plus 14,932 questioned ballots, for a total of 40,721 uncounted ballots. This number could still increase slightly because ballots mailed on Election Day are accepted through Friday domestically and Wednesday, November 19 overseas.
What is the timing for the rest of the ballot counting?
The Wasilla regional office will count all remaining absentee at 1pm and questioned ballots at 8am on Friday.
The Nome regional office will count all remaining absentee and questioned ballots on Friday at 8am.
The Juneau regional office will count the remaining 2 districts of questioned ballots on Friday at 1pm. Complete the absentee count on Tuesday at 9am.
The Fairbanks regional office will count questioned ballots on Friday and possibly some absentee at 11am. If absentee are not counted or completed, another count will be scheduled for Monday or Tuesday.
The Anchorage regional office will count the remaining absentee and questioned ballots next Tuesday at 10am.
What has been counted?
The majority of the early votes and absentee in person, some questioned ballots, and some mail in absentee ballots have been counted in:
Ketchikan
Juneau
Anchorage
Eagle River
Mat-Su Valley
Fairbanks
Valdez
Military bases
Kodiak
Kenai Peninsula
What hasn't been counted?
Nothing in districts 2, 5, 6, and 37-40 which includes:
Petersburg
Sitka
Rural Southeast
Cordova
Yakutat
Interior Alaska
Dillingham
Bethel
Nome
Kotzebue
Barrow
Unalaska (entire Aleutian chain)
Since this race is so close, what happens once the votes are all counted?
The only time there is an automatic recount is when there is a tie. If the final vote is within 0.5 percent, a recount can be requested, and the state will cover the bill. If the final vote is more than 0.5 percent, a campaign can request a recount, but would have to pay for it.
I hope this is helpful, and clears up the process over the next week or so. As always, feel free to call or email with any questions.
Thanks,
Bethany
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If I'm reading this right, it looks like there will be no update today.
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