Lisa Murkowski retains lead in Alaska write-in vote

JUNEAU, Alaska — U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski retains 89 percent of the write-in vote in early calculations of those ballots.

Of the roughly 30,000 write-in ballots counted so far, more than 26,800 were undisputedly for Murkowski — meaning, the ovals were filled in and her name was correctly spelled on the ballot.

About 8.4 percent of the ballots were challenged but counted.

Murkowski’s camp accused Miller observers of making frivolous challenges, a charge Miller’s campaign disputes. A reporter saw ballots challenged when Murkowski’s name was readable. Miller’s campaign says it’s challenging ballots where legibility or misspellings are issues.

Another 1.5 percent of ballots, including those with her name but no oval filled in, were challenged and not counted.

More than 92,900 total write-in ballots were cast.

—-

Los Angeles Times

JUNEAU, Alaska — The tedious scrutinizing the more than 92,500 write-in ballots cast in the U.S. Senate race in Alaska got under way in a chilly warehouse here Wednesday, with observers for Republican Joe Miller’s campaign determined to challenge any variation in the spelling of rival Lisa Murkowski’s name.

And judging from the multiple derivations voters attempted — Lisa Muroski, LSI Murkswke, Lisa Mvrowski, Lesa Merkesken, Lisa M., along with at least one ballot cast for Jesus Christ — there will be no shortage of opportunities for argument.

“We expect to have a recount. We expect it may go to court,” Lt. Gov. Craig Campbell told reporters. “I believe the counters are doing a legitimate job of trying to determine the intent … and if it’s then challenged in court, the court may be the final arbiter.”

Still, early numbers showed that 89 percent of the write-in ballots counted by midday Wednesday were correctly filled in for Murkowski.

Of 7,638 write-ins counted, only 56 were for someone else, and 6,804 were unchallenged. Only 89 challenges were tentatively upheld by the state Division of Elections.

Miller’s deficit to the number of ballots cast as write-ins — the majority presumed to be for Murkowski — had shrunk to about 11,300 votes by Wednesday as absentees continue to be counted.

Campaign lawyers for Miller filed suit seeking a preliminary injunction to force the state Division of Elections to interpret strictly the state law that says write-in ballots must contain a candidate’s name, or at least the last name, as it was originally certified.

U.S. District Judge Ralph Beistline refused, however, to grant a temporary restraining order halting the vote count until the issue can be resolved, ruling that no irreparable harm will occur from allowing the tally to proceed for now.

“The law is pretty clear that it has to be filled in just as it is on the declaration of candidacy,” said Randy DeSoto, Miller’s spokesman. “Our concern is the Legislature when they made the law wanted to get away from all this confusion by making it very clear.”

State officials have said they are relying on at least two court decisions that require them to determine what a voter’s intent was. If it’s apparent that a voter intended to vote for Murkowski, even if there is a minor misspelling, Division of Elections chief Gail Fenumiai said she is counting it as a valid vote.

“If I can’t make a phonetic understanding of the name, I say no,” she said.

Ballots with misspelled names approved by Fenumiai and still challenged by Miller observers are being placed in separate envelopes so they can be scrutinized later by the board of elections, or if necessary by the courts.

Asked why some ballots spelled Morkowski were rejected and some spelled Merkowski were accepted, Campbell said he has confidence in the ability of the vote counters to count the tallies reliably and with integrity. But he insisted that minor misspellings are not enough to throw a ballot out.

“It could be one letter, it could be two letters (off). Obviously if it goes further away from the correct spelling, it provides more opportunities for challenge,” he said. “Because of the multiple language differences we have in the state of Alaska … a minor misspelling should not cause a voter to be disenfranchised.”

The National Republican Senatorial Committee has sent observers to back the Miller campaign, though Murkowski, if she prevails, has said she would continue to caucus with the Republican Party.

At most of the 15 tables lined up on the warehouse floor, apportioned equally with Republican, Democrat and non-partisan observers, state Elections Division counters were routinely setting aside Murkowski misspellings for Fenumiai to rule on individually. Miller observers appeared to be challenging nearly all misspellings.

“All they’re doing is delaying this,” said John Tracy, a spokesman for the Murkowski campaign who was watching the count. He predicted it would be nearly impossible for the Miller campaign to clear the hurdle needed to actually win the election — throwing out one in every nine write-in ballots cast.

For most of the day, he noted, the boxes stacked with unchallenged, correctly spelled votes for Murkowski appeared far fuller than the boxes of challenged ballots — an assessment Fenumiai shared when she broke briefly for lunch..

“The story of today is the overwhelming ability of Alaskans to successfully conduct a write-in ballot,” Tracy said. “If you look at the (correctly spelled ballot) box, Alaskans have overwhelmingly figured out how to spell Lisa Murkowski’s name.”

State officials have said they hope to complete the count within three days, but warned it could take longer if court challenges delay the process.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Aaron Weinstock uses an x-ray machine toy inside the Imagine Children Museum on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Imagine Children’s Museum $250k grant reinstated following federal court order

The federal grant supports a program that brings free science lessons to children throughout rural Snohomish County.

Snohomish County 911 Executive Director Kurt Mills talks about the improvements made in the new call center space during a tour of the building on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New 911 center in Everett built to survive disaster

The $67.5 million facility brings all emergency staff under one roof with seismic upgrades, wellness features and space to expand.

Everett
Five arrested in connection with Everett toddler’s 2024 overdose death

More than a year after 13-month-old died, Everett police make arrests in overdose case.

Madison Family Shelter Family Support Specialist Dan Blizard talks about one of the pallet homes on Monday, May 19, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Madison Family Shelter reopens after hiatus

The Pallet shelter village, formerly Faith Family Village, provides housing for up to eight families for 90 days.

Helion's 6th fusion prototype, Trenta, on display on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Helion celebrates smoother path to fusion energy site approval

Helion CEO applauds legislation signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson expected to streamline site selection process.

Everett Historic Theater owner Curtis Shriner inside the theater on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Historic Everett Theatre sale on horizon, future uncertain

With expected new ownership, events for July and August will be canceled. The schedule for the fall and beyond is unclear.

The Mukilteo Boulevard Homer on Monday, May 12, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Homer Hedge’: A Simpsons meme takes root in Everett — D’oh!

Homer has been lurking in the bushes on West Mukilteo Boulevard since 2023. Stop by for a selfie.

Pat Cronin and Jamie Lyon look over a zoning district map draft of Everett on display during an Everett Planning Department open house at Everett Station on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett to release final draft of comp plan

The city will release the draft of the planning document on May 30, staff said. It will likely go to a vote before the council in June.

Traffic moves across the US 2 trestle between Everett and Lake Stevens on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Washington climate goals jeopardized by U.S. Senate vote

The U.S. Senate revoked waivers allowing Washington to mandate strict vehicle emission standards

The Everett City Council on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett City Council approves apprenticeship ordinance

The new ordinance builds upon state law, requiring many city public works contracts to use at least 15% apprentice labor.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Stanwood in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Stanwood nears completion of deployable floodwall

The new floodwall will provide quick protection to the downtown area during flood conditions.

Cars drive along Cathcart Way next to the site of the proposed Eastview Village development that borders Little Cedars Elementary on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 in unincorporated Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Former engineer: Snohomish County rushed plans for Eastview development

David Irwin cited red flags from the developers. After he resigned, the county approved the development that’s now stalled with an appeal

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.