Ballot privacy at stake as alaska attorneys urge court to toss trump lawsuit over Senate race
Alaska seeks dismissal
In a Saturday filing, Alaska’s government urged a federal judge to end the Justice Department lawsuit. The suit seeks to halt certification of a possible victory by Democrat Mary Peltola until questions about voter confusion are resolved.
Alaska argued there was no reason for the court to continue considering what it called a meritless case. Officials asked the judge to dismiss it with prejudice and allow state election workers to count and certify ballots without federal interference.
Two candidates named Sullivan
The dispute concerns Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan and a second candidate, Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., a retired school teacher from Petersburg. Alaska said the ballot identified the senator as the Republican incumbent, while listing the other candidate as Daniel J. Sullivan Jr.
The Justice Department on Friday asked the judge to separate ballots marked for the second Sullivan while officials determine whether voters were misled. Alaska called the request disturbing and impossible, arguing that separating those ballots would violate voter privacy.
Campaign allegations and state response
The New York Times reported that texts, posts and interviews with Peltola’s former campaign manager appeared to indicate the campaign helped recruit the second Sullivan. The report also cited contributions from a group supporting Peltola to an out-of-state Democratic consultant who recruited him. Peltola has denied involvement.
Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced a state probe after the report and criticized the second candidate’s placement on the ballot. Alaska’s filing said the new claims do not change the candidate’s legal status; the Alaska Supreme Court ruled this summer that he met the requirements to remain on the ballot.
Federal authority disputed
The Trump administration says a preamble to a voter-registration law from the 1990s gives it responsibility for protecting the integrity of federal elections. It has described the lawsuit as an effort to combat fraud and prevent Peltola from being declared the winner.
Trump has also called for Peltola to be prosecuted. The American Civil Liberties Union urged dismissal, warning that federal officials could otherwise use broad language about election integrity to intervene in state election processes.
Key points
- Alaska asked a federal judge to dismiss the Trump administration’s effort to block certification.
- The dispute concerns ballots for Sen. Dan Sullivan and candidate Daniel J. Sullivan Jr.
- Alaska says the ballot distinguished the two candidates and ballot separation would breach voter privacy.
- The state says the second Sullivan remains legally eligible after an Alaska Supreme Court ruling.