Key US congressional races remain undecided a week after the midterms
More than a week after the US midterm elections, over a dozen congressional races remain uncalled, leaving the final size of the Democrats’ majorities uncertain. Democrats have secured 54 Senate seats and could gain one or two more in Alaska and Mississippi. In the House, they have won 255 of 435 seats, their largest elected majority since 2008, with several close contests still pending.
In Mississippi, Democrat Scott Colom led Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith by about 2,600 votes in the Senate race. About 14,200 provisional ballots had been processed, with roughly 80 percent accepted, while around 2,700 mail-in absentee ballots had not yet been returned. Counties must submit certified results by Friday, and the state will certify the election on December 3. Mississippi has no automatic recounts; a recount requires a court order.
In Alaska, Democrat Mary Peltola led Republican Senator Dan Sullivan by about 2,500 votes with an estimated 76 percent counted. Overseas absentee ballots can arrive through November 18, when ranked-choice tabulation may also take place if neither candidate reaches a majority. Alaska’s target certification date is November 25.
Most unresolved House races were separated by less than one percentage point. North Carolina had four outstanding contests, while California, South Carolina and Minnesota also had races awaiting final results. A recount was under way in South Carolina’s 2nd District, where Republican incumbent Joe Wilson led Democrat Zyon Khalifa by about 3,000 votes with 99 percent counted.
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