Alaska officials urge judge to deny Trump administration’s impossible demand to set aside Senate ballots
Alaska seeks dismissal
Alaska’s Republican-led state government urged a federal judge Saturday to permanently dismiss the Trump administration’s lawsuit against local election officials. The case concerns certification of the state’s competitive Senate race.
The administration filed the lawsuit Oct. 22, seeking to prevent certification unless Sen. Dan S. Sullivan is declared the winner. The judge is expected to rule soon on whether the case should be dismissed or proceed.
Officials challenge ballot demand
In its filing, the state said the administration had offered no reason for the court to keep considering what it described as a meritless lawsuit. Officials also argued that the requested relief was inappropriate and could not be carried out without undermining ballot secrecy.
The filing said the Alaska Supreme Court had approved the second Sullivan’s name for the ballot months earlier. It added that state officials designed the ballot carefully to reduce voter confusion.
Secrecy and ballot segregation
State officials said ballots could be identified by how voters ranked Daniel J., regardless of how the ballots were physically stored. The filing said the administration’s proposed ballot segregation was disturbing and impossible if it meant something beyond that.
The state’s request comes three days before Election Day. Its argument centers on whether the administration’s demand can be met while protecting voters’ right to keep their ballots secret.
Key points
- Alaska officials asked a federal judge to permanently dismiss the Trump administration’s lawsuit.
- The lawsuit seeks to block Senate race certification unless Dan S. Sullivan wins.
- Officials said the requested ballot segregation is impossible and threatens ballot secrecy.
- The judge is expected to decide soon whether the case will continue.