Politics · United States · 1 hr ago
Trump administration sues over certification of Alaska Senate election
The Trump administration sued over Alaska’s Senate election certification, asking a court to block certification if Republican Sen.
Dan Sullivan loses.
The race is between Sullivan and Democrat Mary Peltola, with another candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan also on the ballot.
Alaska voters rank candidates, and the second Sullivan is listed without a party label while the incumbent is identified as a registered Republican.
The Justice Department argues the second candidate could confuse voters and undermine confidence in the result.
The lawsuit could delay certification if the incumbent is defeated.
An election law professor called the legal argument unusual and said it is unclear whether a court could intervene as the government seeks.
The Senate race could affect which party controls the chamber, and the case adds to a wider dispute over the federal government’s role in state election administration.
The US Justice Department has sued to delay certification of Alaska’s Senate election if Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan loses.
The lawsuit says another candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan could confuse voters and asks for an investigation before results are certified.
Daniel J. Sullivan, a retired schoolteacher, will appear on the ballot alongside the incumbent; Alaska’s Supreme Court rejected an earlier effort to remove him.
The race between incumbent Sullivan and Democrat Mary Peltola could affect which party controls the Senate.
Voting rights experts say it would be practically impossible to investigate voters’ intentions after they have cast confidential ballots.
- Who
- The US Department of Justice is suing over the election. Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, Democrat Mary Peltola and candidate Daniel J. Sullivan are involved in the race.
- What
- The department is asking a federal court to delay certification of Alaska’s Senate results if the incumbent loses, pending an investigation into possible voter confusion.
- When
- The lawsuit was filed on Thursday, October 22, 2026. The general election is November 3.
- Where
- Alaska; the lawsuit was filed in federal court.
- Why
- The administration says voters could confuse the two candidates named Sullivan, potentially affecting the result.
US Department of Justice
Voting rights experts and the Brennan Center for Justice
Voter confusion
US Department of Justice
The department says the two candidates named Sullivan could mislead voters and distort the election result.
Voting rights experts and the Brennan Center for Justice
Experts say an investigation into voters’ intentions after they cast ballots would be practically impossible.
Federal role
US Department of Justice
The department is asking a federal court to delay certification while the issue is investigated.
Voting rights experts and the Brennan Center for Justice
Brennan Center counsel Lauren Miller Karalunas says states handle certification and the federal government has “no role” in it.
The Alaska Supreme Court rejected a Republican effort to remove Daniel J. Sullivan from the ballot.
The Justice Department filed its lawsuit in federal court seeking a pause in certification if the incumbent loses.
Trump said he had directed the Justice Department to file the lawsuit.
Alaska’s Senate election is scheduled to be held.
- Senate incumbent
- Dan Sullivan, Republican
- Democratic nominee
- Mary Peltola
- Other candidate
- Daniel J. Sullivan, a retired schoolteacher
- Election date
- November 3, 2026
- Certification request
- Pause pending an investigation into possible voter confusion
- Ballot system
- Alaska uses ranked-choice voting
6 sources
The Alaska Senate litigation, explained
DoJ sues to block certification of Alaska Senate results if Republican incumbent loses
Trump administration sues to block possible Democratic win in Alaska
US Justice Dept sues to block possible Alaska election of Democrat to Senate
Trump DOJ sues to block Alaska US Senate results if Republican incumbent loses
What people are saying
the sole purpose of Dan J Sullivan’s of candidacy is to “benefit the Peltola campaign by reducing the number of votes for Senator Sullivan
I’m the one who said do it.
no role
It is not DOJ’s intention to – and it’s never our intention to – improperly interfere with elections or the state certification process