Two uncalled Senate races in Alaska and Mississippi now decide how large Democrats’ majority will be, and both remain stuck until more ballots are counted and, in Alaska, ranked choices are tallied.
Story Snapshot
- Alaska’s race will use ranked-choice tabulation because no candidate cleared 50% of first-choice votes.
- Mississippi’s race remains razor-thin with ballots still being processed.
- News outlets describe both contests as too close to call based on current margins and procedures.
- The Associated Press withholds calls when material votes remain or margins are very small.
What Is Holding Up Calls in Alaska
The Associated Press states that Alaska’s Senate race advances to ranked-choice tabulation when no candidate wins a majority of first-choice votes, which is the case this year. Results showed both top contenders below 50 percent, making the redistribution of lower-ranked choices necessary to determine a winner. State reporting indicated that the ranked-choice count would not begin until November 18 under Alaska’s schedule, delaying any final outcome even if first-choice totals look close on election night.
Alaska’s partial results showed a narrow gap with both leaders under the majority threshold, reinforcing the need for the ranked process to finish before a call is made. Media outlets framed the race as too close to call due to these rules and timelines. That framing aligns with how this system works every cycle it is used. The delay reflects state law and election procedure, not a special exception. Voters ranked candidates with this later step expected if no one broke 50 percent.
Why Mississippi Remains Too Close to Call
Mississippi’s Senate contest also remains uncalled because the vote margin is extremely small and counties are still processing ballots. Reporting on November 4 put Democratic challenger Tyree Irving Colom ahead of Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith by a little over one thousand votes with most ballots counted, but not all. Newsrooms described the race as too close to call, with additional votes and possible recount considerations ahead if the margin tightens further in the certified tally.
Updates across outlets showed the Mississippi margin shifting as counties reported more ballots, a common feature of close races. The Associated Press has explained its race-calling approach in such cases: do not project a winner when material ballots remain or when margins fall within very tight ranges that could change the outcome. That standard fits Mississippi’s situation. Only final, validated counts can settle whether the narrow edge holds or flips before any recount pathway is triggered.
What These Delays Mean for Senate Control
These two uncalled contests now determine how many seats Democrats hold beyond the bare majority they secured elsewhere. Alaska’s timeline rests on ranked-choice tabulation and later certification steps. Mississippi depends on completing ballot processing and confirming the final margin. Both cases match a recurring pattern in close elections, where legal deadlines and counting rules extend past election night to protect accuracy over speed.
Every vote counts in Alaska and Mississippi! Ballots are still being counted in two closely contested U.S. Senate races, with the final outcomes yet to be determined. Here's where the races stand as election officials continue tallying votes.https://t.co/OD1VVkWeDo
— News 4 Reno (@News4Reno) November 6, 2026
For voters across the spectrum, the wait can feel like one more sign that Washington is not working. But the mechanics here are straightforward, set in law, and applied to both parties. Alaska uses ranked choices when no one clears 50 percent. Mississippi checks every valid ballot before anyone claims victory. The practical effect is simple: the size of the Democratic Senate majority will be known only after these lawful steps finish, not before.
Sources:
youtube.com, apnews.com, usatoday.com, tallahassee.com, aljazeera.com, hngn.com
