DOJ Seeks to Delay Alaska Senate Certification if Dan Sullivan Loses

The Justice Department sued Alaska election officials seeking to block certification of the Senate race if Republican incumbent Dan S. Sullivan loses and would have won under a hypothetical reassignment of votes cast for Dan J. Sullivan. Mary Peltola’s campaign and Senate Democrats asked a federal judge to dismiss the case, arguing it threatens voters’ choices and Alaska’s ranked-choice process. The court had not set a hearing date in the reporting provided.

• The Justice Department sued Alaska election officials to prevent certification if incumbent Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan loses and would have won if votes for Dan J. Sullivan were instead counted for him under the state’s ranked-choice process.· 2 sources
• President Donald Trump said he directed the Justice Department to file the lawsuit, citing the candidates’ similar names. Dan J. Sullivan is running without a party affiliation and has denied allegations that his candidacy is intended to confuse voters.· 2 sources
• Mary Peltola’s campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee asked a federal judge to dismiss the suit, arguing it assumes voters for Dan J. Sullivan meant to vote for the incumbent.· 1 source
• Alaska’s supreme court had upheld Dan J. Sullivan’s eligibility for the ballot after a state judge ruled in his favor. The court had not set a hearing date for the federal lawsuit, according to NBC News.· 2 sources