Murkowski holds 90 percent of write-in vote so far

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski has 90 percent of the write-in vote undisputedly as the tedious hand count of those ballots continues.

With more than 56,000 ballots counted, Murkowski had more than 50,500 without question. That means, there were no challenges and ballots were properly cast for her.

Another 7.8 percent were challenged but counted for her, and 1.5 percent was challenged and not counted.

Murkowski is seeking to make history as the first U.S. Senate candidate since 1954 to win a write-in campaign. She says she feels more encouraged with each passing day that she’ll win re-election.

Miller had 82,180 votes as of Wednesday, while write-ins had 92,979. The hand count is intended to see which candidate earned the write-in votes.

Thousands of questioned and absentee ballots have yet to be tabulated. The deadline for absentee ballots from overseas and military addresses is Nov. 17.