Canvass Board corrects election tally error

MAT-SU — The Canvass Board corrected a clerical error yesterday in the race for District 2 in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough election. The vote spread between candidates Matthew Beck and Assembly Member Noel Woods grew smaller by 100 votes.

Beck still leads with 735 votes to Woods’ 712 votes as of Oct. 2. However, 229 absentee votes have been received so far for the district and remain to be counted, according to MAT-SU Borough Clerk Lonnie McKechnie.

“That’s why there’s checks and balances with the Canvass Board,” McKechnie said. The correct information was reported via phone from the precinct and recorded correctly at the Borough, but in a separate step for recording on the results spreadsheet, an extra 1 was added, making 14, an incorrect 114.

The race for District 1 remains close as well, with Jim Sykes leading Doug Glenn by 45 votes. 197 absentee votes have been received so far from District 1 and remain to be counted.

Questioned ballots are being processed, possibly adding more votes to each race.  Absentee and questioned ballots are expected to be counted by Oct. 11 or Oct. 12.

Results of the election will be certified in the new Assembly chambers on Oct. 15 at 5 pm.

For more information call Public Affairs Director Patty Sullivan at 745-9577 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or the Borough Clerk’s office at 745-9681.