Ballots are still being counted for the special election to fill Alaska’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, but a picture of the local results is beginning to come into focus.
Former governor Sarah Palin was the top vote getter in Kodiak’s precinct with more than 33% of the vote, according to the state’s unofficial results. She currently leads the statewide vote, too.
Nonpartisan candidate Al Gross received 18% of votes cast, and Republicans Nick Begich III (12.7%) and Tara Sweeney (7.23%) were the other top vote getters – that’s slightly different from the current statewide results, which has Democrat Mary Peltola rounding out the top four. Kodiak candidate Mike Milligan received 3.21% of the local vote.
Kodiak’s voting precinct only saw about 17% of registered voters turn in ballots – which needed to be postmarked by Sat. June 11 for the special election to replace the late Congressman Don Young. The state’s final ballot count is scheduled for June 23 – and the results will be certified on June 25.
Alaska’s new ranked choice voting process means that this race only determines who will end up on the final ballot to fill Alaska’s lone House seat. That election will be held on August 16.