The Electoral Department counted the first batch of ballots on Saturday night – 109,000 of the 135,000 ballots have been returned so far. Palin, a Republican, has so far counted about 30% of the vote. It is followed by Nick Begic, also a Republican, who got 19% and the independent Al Gross with 12%. The biggest surprise is that the Democratic Mary Peltola is in fourth place with 7%. If so, he would go to the special general vote, along with the first three. It is followed by Tara Sweeney who has 5% and Santa Claus with 4%. The ballots counted on Saturday night are from across the state. They include ballot papers that were mailed, hand-delivered and cast in person. The department says it will continue counting on Wednesday. A lawsuit on behalf of visually impaired voters called into question the certification schedule on Friday. But on Saturday, the Alaska Supreme Court annulled the lower court judge. The order was short. The judges said they would explain later. Extraordinary elections will serve the remainder of the term of the late MP Don Young. The people of Alaska will determine the winner of the August 16 election with a ranking vote. Meanwhile, more than 30 candidates are running for Congress, which begins in January. Santa Claus, a councilor from the North Pole, is not a candidate for the full term, but most of the other pioneers are candidates.
