(a) Write-in votes on a general election ballot shall be counted for a candidate only if the aggregate of all votes cast for all write-in candidates for the particular office is
(1) the highest number of votes received by any candidate for the office; or
(2) the second highest number of votes received by any candidate and the difference between the total number of votes received by the candidate having the highest number of votes and the aggregate of all votes cast for all write-in candidates for the office is less than the percentage necessary for a recount at the state's cost under AS 15.20.450.
(b) Write-in votes that do not meet the requirements of this section may not be individually counted under this section.
(c) If the director determines that the requirements of (a) of this section have been met, the director shall establish the date for counting those write-in votes, and the director, or a designee of the director, shall count all write-in ballots under AS 15.15.360(d).
(d) This section does not apply to the counting of federal write-in absentee ballots submitted under 42 U.S.C. 1973ff.
(e) Write-in ballots shall be counted by the director, or a designee of the director, in a public place at the location where write-in ballots are sent for counting following an election.