Two unresolved Senate races in Mississippi and Alaska now hinge on razor-thin margins and slow final counts that could shift control dynamics in Washington.
Story Snapshot
- Mississippi count shows Scott Colom narrowly ahead of Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith with votes still outstanding.
- Alaska first-choice tally puts Mary Peltola slightly ahead of Sen. Dan Sullivan, below the 50% mark that triggers ranked-choice rounds.
- Later Alaska updates kept Peltola in front as totals changed, but no official winner was named.
- Both races remain live and uncalled on major results dashboards as counting continues.
Mississippi Margin Stays Tight As Count Continues
Mississippi’s United States Senate race remains uncalled, with reported totals showing Democrat Scott Colom holding a narrow edge over Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith. CNN listed Colom at about 49.1% and Hyde-Smith at about 48.8% with roughly 97% reported, a lead of about 2,500 votes at one point. The Associated Press and the New York Times also showed Colom in front in their dashboards. Both outlets kept the race active, signaling more ballots to process and no official call yet.
County reporting updates and late-arriving valid ballots can change small leads. The Associated Press maintained live updates and did not declare a winner, matching the cautious treatment across outlets. The Times mirrored that posture, keeping the contest open as precincts updated their numbers. The lead has shifted only within a tight band so far. That range keeps both campaigns focused on every remaining ballot and any statutory steps that follow close results.
Alaska’s Ranked-Choice Path Keeps Outcome Unclear
Alaska’s first-choice count showed Democrat Mary Peltola slightly ahead of Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, with both under 50%. The Associated Press reported Peltola at about 48.2% and Sullivan at about 47.9%, a lead measured in hundreds of votes, which keeps the door open to ranked-choice rounds under state rules. Because no one crossed the 50% threshold, additional counting and then ranked-choice tabulation may decide the final winner if totals remain below the mark.
Later updates from major outlets continued to show Peltola on top as more ballots were processed. NBC displayed a larger raw-vote lead for Peltola while still reflecting an uncalled race. The New York Times described her as on a path to victory and quoted her campaign manager claiming she would win, a statement of advocacy rather than an official call. The formal ranked-choice process remains the deciding step if the 50% line is not reached in the final first-choice tally.
Why These Two Races Still Have Room To Move
Live dashboards often show slight differences in totals as counties update and as outlets refresh at different times. In Mississippi, small swings reflect continued reporting rather than a settled outcome, which is why editors have kept the race open. In Alaska, ranked-choice voting rules add a clear procedural step. If first-choice totals finish under 50%, the state conducts elimination and transfer rounds until one candidate passes the majority line.
Close races like these are not rare, and history shows that very small margins can extend timelines. Recounts and legal processes are most likely to matter when the gap is measured in hundreds of votes, not thousands. Alaska’s ranked-choice system also means the story does not end with a first-choice lead unless it is over 50%. Voters and campaigns must wait for the final count, and, in Alaska, any transfer rounds required by law.
What Conservatives Should Watch Next
Mississippi’s next updates will show whether Cindy Hyde-Smith closes the gap or whether Scott Colom’s edge holds as final ballots enter the tally. Watch county reports and any margin that could trigger further review steps under state law. In Alaska, focus on whether first-choice totals cross 50% before the tabulation deadline. If not, ranked-choice rounds will likely proceed, and transfers from lower-finishing candidates could decide the seat.
Bottom Line For The Balance Of Power
Two uncalled Senate races keep the map unsettled a week after Election Day. Mississippi’s margin is within a few thousand votes, keeping both campaigns on edge as the last ballots get processed. Alaska’s first-choice lead for Peltola persists, but the legal finish line may be ranked-choice rounds unless a late surge pushes someone over 50%. Until officials complete these steps, these contests remain live, and the stakes remain high for the Senate.
Sources:
youtube.com, cnn.com, nytimes.com, apnews.com, nbcnews.com, npr.org, brennancenter.org
