As the doors closed, 812 votes were cast in Wrangell Tuesday.
Voter turnout in Wrangell was at 44 percent in the unofficial results released by the Alaska Division of Elections Wednesday. Including in-person absentee votes and Wrangell election chair, Sarah Merrit’s, count of questioned ballots, Wrangell saw about a 60 percent turnout.
That’s based on the latest voter registration numbers. District wide, turnout was at 45 percent, down 10 points from 2014 and 12 compared to the 2012 presidential race.
Not all precincts included absentee votes in the latest numbers, and turnout could increase. Results from absentee votes taken on Election Day and after Oct. 28 will be added to totals along with questioned ballots within the next two weeks.
Incumbent Dan Ortiz maintains a 607-vote lead over Republican Bob Sivertsen. Constitution Party candidate Ken Shaw received 314 votes.
Wrangell Voter turnout in the 2014 midterms was at 46 percent and 48 percent in the 2012 presidential election. The highest turnouts for Wrangell voters in the past 20 years were in 2008 at 52 percent and in 1996 with a high of 57 percent.
