The US Justice Department asked a federal court to halt certification of Alaska’s Senate result if Senator Dan Sullivan loses and votes for a similarly named rival could have affected the outcome. The department alleges potential voter confusion; Daniel J. Sullivan denies the allegation. Alaska’s Supreme Court previously allowed his candidacy. The federal complaint has not established that voters were actually misled.
The US Justice Department asked a federal court to prevent certification of Alaska’s Senate election result under specified conditions. If Republican Senator Dan Sullivan loses and votes for similarly named candidate Daniel J. Sullivan could have changed the outcome, the department wants an investigation into voter intent. Its complaint against Alaska election officials was filed on October 22.[1], [2]
The department alleges that the second candidate entered the race to reduce the senator’s support and help Democrat Mary Peltola. Daniel J. Sullivan denies that account. He told local journalists that he would not even know whom to contact in Peltola’s campaign. Trump said on October 23 that he had directed the lawsuit. Those allegations have not become a judicial finding that voters were misled.[1]
Alaska election authorities previously tried to remove the other Sullivan from the ballot. State courts reversed that effort, and Alaska’s Supreme Court allowed him to remain. Voters in the November 3 election can rank candidates under Alaska’s ranked-choice system. The department argues that name confusion could also affect that allocation of votes and invokes the National Voter Registration Act in seeking federal intervention.[1]
