Murkowski Narrows Miller's Lead as Absentees Counted in Alaska Senate Race

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski crept closer to Republican challenger Joe Miller as the Alaska Division of Elections began counting 15,272 outstanding ballots in Alaska's primary election.

Murkowski trailed Tea Party Express favorite Miller by 1,294 votes in early counting Tuesday. She was down by 1,668 votes after the Aug. 24 primary.

The Elections Division listed 25,510 absentee, questioned or early ballots as of Monday. Counting started Tuesday morning in Anchorage and Wasilla and was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon in Fairbanks and Juneau.

Remaining votes could be counted Friday and Sept. 8.