Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola has asked a federal judge to throw out a lawsuit brought by the Trump administration that seeks to prevent Alaska from certifying its election results under certain circumstances if Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan narrowly loses the November 3 midterm race.
In a court filing submitted late Sunday, Peltola’s campaign argued that the Justice Department’s legal challenge has no sound basis and represents an improper attempt by the federal government to interfere in a state’s election process.
The dispute centres on two Republican candidates on Alaska’s Senate ballot who have nearly identical names, raising concerns about possible voter confusion. The Justice Department claims that Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. could mislead voters intending to support the incumbent senator, Dan S. Sullivan.
Peltola’s legal team, joined by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, argued that managing elections falls primarily within the authority of individual states under the US Constitution. They warned that the federal government’s intervention raises serious constitutional questions.
US District Judge Sharon Gleason, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama, agreed on Monday to accelerate proceedings in the case. However, she did not specify when she would decide on the Justice Department’s request. Peltola’s campaign is seeking a ruling before the election results are certified.
Gleason’s initial order also highlighted the timing of the federal government’s lawsuit. She noted that Alaskans had already begun voting in the November election when the case was filed, nearly four months after the Alaska Supreme Court directed state election officials to include Daniel J. Sullivan on the ballot.
The court’s observations have added another layer of uncertainty to a closely watched Senate contest, with control of Congress hanging in the balance as Republicans attempt to defend their narrow majorities in both chambers.
The Justice Department filed its lawsuit last week in federal court in Alaska, arguing that the similarity between the candidates’ names could create confusion among voters. The case has drawn criticism from election law experts, some of whom have questioned whether the government can obtain the remedy it is seeking under federal law.
Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the administration’s move during a television interview on Sunday, saying the lawsuit was intended to help determine whether potential voter confusion amounted to a legal violation. He rejected suggestions that President Donald Trump was attempting to take control of Alaska’s election.
Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., meanwhile, has denied that he intends to confuse voters. His inclusion on the ballot was approved by the Alaska Supreme Court in June.
Peltola, a former member of the US House of Representatives, is challenging Republican Senator Dan S. Sullivan in what has become a politically significant race. The outcome could influence the balance of power in the Senate, making the legal fight over ballot certification an increasingly consequential part of the contest.
