Alaska Officials Seek Dismissal of DOJ Election Lawsuit

Alaska election officials have asked a federal judge to dismiss the Justice Department’s lawsuit seeking to prevent certification of the state’s U.S. Senate result if incumbent Dan Sullivan loses, arguing that the department lacks legal authority to intervene and that the ballot distinguishes the candidates. The Division of Elections filing followed the department’s lawsuit, which argues that the presence of another candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan could confuse voters and affect the outcome. The Justice Department has asked the state not to certify the result if the Republican incumbent loses. The case’s outcome could affect whether Alaska certifies its Senate election under the ordinary process. State officials say the ballot identifies Dan Sullivan as the incumbent Republican senator and Daniel J. Sullivan as an independent challenger, and includes both candidates’ middle initials. They also argue that Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system allows voters to rank both candidates named Sullivan, so a ballot can transfer to the other if a voter’s first choice is eliminated. The filing says voters can seek assistance or consult election materials if they remain uncertain. The...