November 28, 2016 - 2:53 PM
JUNEAU, Alaska - The Latest on results from the Nov. 8 general election (all times local):
2:50 p.m.
Democrat Pat Higgins says he does not plan to contest the results of a legislative race he lost by 95 votes to Anchorage Republican Rep. Charisse Millett.
Higgins says he accepts the decision of voters and while he's disappointed personally, he says he's pleased there will be a new coalition in charge of the Alaska House.
While Republicans will hold 21 of the House's 40 seats when the next Legislature convenes, the chamber will be controlled by a coalition comprised mainly of Democrats in which Republicans and Democrats share leadership responsibilities. Three Republicans — Gabrielle LeDoux, Paul Seaton and Louise Stutes — have joined the coalition.
Millett served as majority leader during the 2015 and 2016 legislative sessions.
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11:20 a.m.
Voter turnout in this month's general election hit 60.7 per cent, up slightly from the last presidential election in 2012.
According to the Division of Elections, turnout in 2012 totalled 59.6 per cent. Over the last 20 years, turnout in presidential election years has been as low as 59.1 per cent in 1996 and as high as 66.6 per cent in 2004.
With ballot counting completed, Anchorage Republican Rep. Charisse Millett held off Democratic challenger Pat Higgins, winning by 95 votes.
In other close races, Republican Rep. Louise Stutes of Kodiak edged nonaffiliated candidate Duncan Fields by about 200 votes. Nonaffiliated candidate Jason Grenn beat Anchorage Republican Rep. Liz Vazquez by 180 votes and Democrat Justin Parish beat Juneau Republican Rep. Cathy Munoz by 195 votes.
Stutes, Grenn and Parish plan to be part of a new House majority.
Division of Elections Director Josie Bahnke says the target for certifying the election results is Wednesday.
News from © The Associated Press, 2016