Todd Blanche says DOJ seeks safeguards against confusion over second Dan Sullivan on Alaska ballot
DOJ seeks election safeguards
Blanche said the ballot might reveal confusion through how voters rank the two candidates named Dan Sullivan, or through a ballot that leaves one of them off. He added that the election had not yet taken place, so the department did not know whether such confusion would occur.
Alaska race has added complexity
Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan is facing Democrat Mary Peltola in next week’s election. The contest has appeared closer than expected in Alaska, a state President Trump won by double digits in 2024. Alaska uses a top-four primary and ranked-choice voting system, while another candidate named Dan Sullivan adds a complication. The sitting senator will appear on the ballot as “(Registered Republican) Incumbent.”
Lawmakers and campaign respond
Blanche said the administration had hoped Alaska’s Supreme Court would issue an opinion explaining its reasoning, and said the president had discussed the issue for months. The lawsuit was filed 11 days before Election Day.
Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina said it was appropriate to examine the situation, but objected to filing suit before knowing whether the facts would support one. Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski opposed the Justice Department’s move, while Peltola campaign spokesperson Harry Child said the campaign would fight to protect eligible voters’ ability to cast ballots without interference from the Lower 48.
Key points
- The Justice Department sued to challenge certification if Dan Sullivan loses and ballot confusion affected the result.
- Blanche said the lawsuit does not call for Alaska to withhold certification automatically.
- Alaska’s top-four primary and ranked-choice voting system adds complexity to the Senate race.
- Tillis backed examining the issue but questioned suing before the relevant facts were known.