Nov. 18 (Bloomberg) -- Democratic challenger Mark Begich extended his lead over Alaska Senator Ted Stevens with about 10,000 ballots still to be counted, according to the state's elections division.

Begich now leads by 2,374 votes as the remaining ballots are tallied from the Nov. 4 election, according to division Director Gail Fenumiai. Officials said they may complete counting about 7,700 absentee ballots today with another 2,500 ballots from military families overseas yet to arrive.

The race is one of three in the Senate -- including Georgia and Minnesota -- still undecided two weeks after the election. If the Democrats win all three, they would secure the 60 votes required under Senate rules to overcome filibusters, a parliamentary procedure that can kill legislation.

Stevens was convicted in federal court last month of failing to report $250,000 in gifts from an Alaska oil-services company. He is the longest-serving Republican in the U.S. Senate.

Senate Republicans in Washington today delayed a proposed vote to strip Stevens of his committee assignments and expel him from the party caucus as they await the election outcome.

Stevens, 85, told reporters today, ``I still have faith I'm going to win.''

If Stevens wins, Republicans may meet again in two days to consider stripping him of his committee posts. Expulsion from the Senate would only occur after an Ethics Committee recommendation and a full vote of the Senate.

To contact the reporters on this story: Christopher Stern in Washington at cstern3@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: November 18, 2008 18:06 EST