Alaska begins scrutinizing Senate write-in ballots

And judging from the multiple derivations voters attempted - Lisa Muroski, LSI Murkswke, Lisa Mvrowski, Lesa Merkesken, Lisa M., along with at least one ballot cast for Jesus Christ - there will be no shortage of opportunities for argument.

"We expect to have a recount. We expect it may go to court," Lt. Gov. Craig Campbell told reporters. "I believe the counters are doing a legitimate job of trying to determine the intent ... and if it's then challenged in court, the court may be the final arbiter."

Still, early numbers showed that 89 percent of the write-in ballots counted by midday Wednesday were correctly filled in for Murkowski.

Of 7,638 write-ins counted, only 56 were for someone else, and 6,804 were unchallenged. Only 89 challenges were tentatively upheld by the state Division of Elections.

Miller's deficit to the number of ballots cast as write-ins - the majority presumed to be for Murkowski - had shrunk to about 11,300 votes by Wednesday as absentees continue to be counted.

Campaign lawyers for Miller filed suit seeking a preliminary injunction to force the state Division of Elections to interpret strictly the state law that says write-in ballots must contain a candidate's name, or at least the last name, as it was originally certified.

U.S. District Judge Ralph Beistline refused to grant a temporary restraining order halting the vote count until the issue can be resolved, ruling that no irreparable harm will occur from allowing the tally to proceed for now.

At most of the 15 tables lined up on the warehouse floor, state Elections Division counters were routinely setting aside Murkowski misspellings for Fenumiai to rule on individually. Miller observers appeared to be challenging nearly all misspellings.

"The story of today is the overwhelming ability of Alaskans to successfully conduct a write-in ballot," said John Tracy, a spokesman for the Murkowski campaign who was watching the count. "If you look at the (correctly spelled ballot) box, Alaskans have overwhelmingly figured out how to spell Lisa Murkowski's name."

State officials hope to complete the count within three days.

For more election-related news and information, visit our California Elections 2010 page.

This article appeared on page A - 10 of the San Francisco Chronicle

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