Alaska Senate race draws renewed legal and political scrutiny

The Justice Department has revised its lawsuit seeking to block certification of Alaska’s Senate results if Republican Dan Sullivan loses, while state and federal officials investigate claims that Mary Peltola’s campaign helped recruit a candidate with the same name as Sullivan. The reporting also notes that the state Supreme Court allowed the second candidate onto the ballot and that ballot-stacking is generally considered legal.

• The Justice Department revised its lawsuit seeking to prevent Alaska from certifying the Senate results if Dan Sullivan loses; its complaint alleges Democrats sought to confuse voters by recruiting a candidate with the same name.· 1 source
• Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy ordered an investigation, while Peltola’s campaign denied involvement in the second Dan Sullivan’s candidacy.· 1 source
• The state Supreme Court had allowed the second candidate to run, and ballot-stacking is generally considered legal; the lawsuit has raised concerns about federal involvement in election administration.· 1 source