Federal Judge Blocks DOJ Push to Halt Alaska Senate Certification
Judge Sharon Gleason ruled the Justice Department's request to investigate ballots was infeasible, though the department has signaled an immediate appeal.
By Alina Marshall ·
The final days of one of the nation's most closely watched Senate races ended on a legal note when a federal judge rejected a federal government bid to freeze the outcome. U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Gleason dismissed the lawsuit on Sunday, clearing the path for certification of the November 3 ranked-choice voting results unless a higher court intervenes.
The Justice Department filed the suit less than two weeks before the election. It sought a court-ordered investigation into whether voters who selected Dan J. Sullivan, a retired teacher, intended to vote for incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan. The state of Alaska argued the case lacked merit and that determining voter intent would violate privacy protections. Gleason agreed, writing that the government provided no workable plan to segregate ballots while preserving voter secrecy.
The dispute centers on the presence of two candidates with nearly identical names on the ballot. Senator Sullivan, a Republican and Trump ally, faces Democrat Mary Peltola. Dan J. Sullivan entered the race in June after failing to secure a party label in the primary. He garnered roughly 2.5% of the primary vote, which was sufficient to qualify for the general election. The incumbent has claimed for months that the retired teacher is a decoy designed to confuse supporters and siphon votes away from him.
Reactions to the ruling were immediate. The Justice Department filed a notice of appeal shortly after the decision. A department spokesperson stated that Alaskan voters deserve a fair election and should not be misled in an attempt to rig outcomes. The DOJ argued that the judge dismissed the case on procedural grounds without disputing the core claim that Dan J. Sullivan was a frivolous candidate.
Democratic supporters celebrated the decision as a check on federal interference. Devan Barber, executive director of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said the ruling proved that no one can toss out free elections based on dissatisfaction with results. Peltola’s campaign highlighted the dismissal, noting that no baseless lawsuit would stop Alaskans from casting their votes on November 3.
Legal scholars and parties have cited constitutional principles in the debate. Gleason noted that the Constitution grants states authority over elections and referenced the Purcell principle, which cautions against changing election rules close to the date. Kristen Clarke, general counsel of the NAACP, called the dismissal a victory for voters, describing the DOJ's action as an eleventh-hour attempt to hijack the midterm.
The legal battle exists alongside a parallel criminal inquiry. On Thursday, the Justice Department issued new grand jury subpoenas related to the ballot presence of Dan J. Sullivan. The FBI has contacted donors to the retired teacher, asking if they felt misled about which candidate they supported. The governor of Alaska, a Republican, has ordered a separate state investigation and suggested he may refuse to certify a Peltola victory.
Source: Sentinel Colorado
