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A 'really complicated job': Why midterm votes counting is taking so long in America's largest state

A 'really complicated job': Why midterm votes counting is taking so long in America's largest state

Alaskans are still waiting for the full results, including in the close Senate race between Republican Dan Sullivan and Democrat Mary Peltola.

For the last few weeks, in addition to its usual payload of passengers, medicine, and supplies, Alaska Seaplanes has carried some unique cargo: midterm election ballots.

The regional airline is a piece of a complex logistical puzzle that sees Alaskans' ballots cast by mail and in person carried across the vast expanse of America's largest state, which is primarily connected by water and air rather than roads.

This considerable task explains why, a week after most US states knew their results in the midterms - in which the Democrats won back both chambers of Congress from the Republicans - Alaskans are still waiting for the Senate race to be called.

The victor in this close contest between the incumbent Republican Dan Sullivan and his Democratic challenger, former Congresswoman Mary Peltola, could remain unknown until 18 November, when officials expect to have counted all eligible ballots.

"We do feel a sense of pride of making sure we do the job right - the really complicated job of getting all these ballots across thousands of miles in Alaska," Andy Kline, the marketing director of Alaska Seaplanes, which serves the southeastern part of the state, told the BBC.

"We feel like we're part of the last leg of that journey of those ballots."

In brief

For the last few weeks, in addition to its usual payload of passengers, medicine, and supplies, Alaska Seaplanes has carried some unique cargo: midterm election ballots. The regional airline is a piece of a complex logistical puzzle that sees Alaskans' ballots cast by mail and in person carried across the vast expanse of America's largest state, which is primarily connected by water and air rather than roads.

This is the opening of the story, shared with credit to BBC News — US & Canada. The rest of the report — with every detail — continues on the publisher’s website.

Continue reading at BBC News — US & Canada ↗

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