Ballots are still getting counted for Mat-Su Borough and local district races

In the Matanuska-Susitna Borough election, unofficial results show three ballot propositions have decisive outcomes and one remains too close to call. 

Ballot Proposition A aims to establish longer School Board members’ terms from three years to four years to better align with Assembly District terms. Yes votes lead with 245 votes – a less than 1% margin. 

The other three ballot propositions appear to be decisively failing: Proposition B would establish a 5% alcohol tax; Proposition C would partially exempt owner-occupied homes from property taxes, offset by a sales tax; Proposition D would expand the Borough's power to acquire rights-of-way and to do construction on roads, streets, sidewalks, and drainage facilities.

Nearly 40,000 votes have been counted. Absentee ballots sent by mail and questioned ballots remain outstanding in the unofficial results. According to reporting from the Mat-Su Sentinel, updated borough counts will likely be available by next week.

In state elections, Republican Rep. Kevin McCabe of Big Lake has a slim lead in first choice votes, but not a majority. According to the Alaska Beacon, when the third place candidate is eliminated, her second choice votes give Republican challenger Doug Massie a narrow majority.

The race for Senate District O is also headed for rank choice tabulation.  Republican incumbent George Rauscher is leading with 43.1% of the vote. Behind him is Republican Ryan Sheldon with 30.8% of the vote. And Democrat Peter Bauer has 26% of the vote.

The last cutoff for the state to receive mailed in ballots is November 18th. Then, election officials can conduct the final ranked choice tabulations and certify the results.