DOJ sues to block Alaska Senate certification over duplicate candidate name
The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit in Alaska seeking to prevent certification of the U.S. Senate race if voter confusion over two candidates named Dan Sullivan could affect the outcome.
The Justice Department has asked a federal district court in Alaska to halt certification of the state’s U.S. Senate election if incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan, a Republican, loses to Democratic challenger Mary Peltola. The suit argues that the presence of another candidate, Daniel J. Sullivan, on the ballot could mislead voters and alter the result. It seeks an order preventing officials from certifying any outcome that might be impacted by such confusion.
The lawsuit names Alaska’s state elections director and related election entities as defendants. It notes that the second Dan Sullivan was initially disqualified but was later allowed to remain on the ballot after an Alaska Supreme Court decision, and he placed third in the August primary, which determines the general-election field.
Legal analysts note that the case is the first major filing targeting the 2026 midterm results and that it will be heard by a judge appointed by a previous president. The administration’s early litigation follows a pattern of election-related lawsuits filed in prior cycles.