DOJ Sues to Delay Alaska Senate Result — SkimNews
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- DOJ sued Alaska to block certification of the Senate race result if Republican Dan Sullivan loses by fewer votes than the other Dan Sullivan received, arguing voter confusion could undermine election integrity.
- Daniel J Sullivan Jr, a retired teacher and non-incumbent candidate, remained on the ballot despite state efforts to remove him, with Alaska’s Supreme Court upholding his inclusion in June.
- Dan S Sullivan, the incumbent Republican senator, is running for a third term against Democrat Mary Peltola, with the race seen as competitive despite Alaska’s strong Republican lean in recent presidential elections.
- Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system allows voters to rank candidates, which experts say could mitigate mistaken votes since preferences may transfer even if a voter initially selects the wrong Sullivan.
- Election law experts, including Derek Muller of Notre Dame, criticized the DOJ’s legal argument as 'absurdly thin,' noting the National Voter Registration Act does not govern ballot access for candidates with similar names.
- Political scientists in Alaska acknowledged the unusual nature of federal intervention, though some said the lawsuit could raise voter awareness and reduce accidental votes for the non-incumbent Sullivan.
Why it matters: If the election is close, votes for Daniel J Sullivan Jr could cost Dan S Sullivan the race, altering Senate control. The DOJ’s intervention—days before the election and based on a novel legal theory—risks setting a precedent for federal challenges in other states where ballot confusion might be alleged, especially in tight races.
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