Alaska Urges Court to Dismiss Trump Election Lawsuit

The Government of Alaska has urged a federal court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the Trump administration that challenges the vote-counting process for a U.S. Senate seat. The United States Department of Justice filed the suit on October 22, arguing that the presence of an independent candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan on the ballot was intended to confuse supporters of the incumbent Republican Senator Daniel S. Sullivan, thereby benefiting Democratic candidate Mary Peltola.

Federal officials requested that the court bar the certification of results if the incumbent loses but would have won had the votes for both Sullivans been combined. Attorney General Todd Blanche argued the action is necessary to ensure the electoral process reflects the will of the voters.

Alaska Assistant Attorneys General Margaret Paton Walsh and Laura Fox countered that the federal government lacks the authority to intervene in state elections, noting that the Division of Elections already took steps to distinguish the candidates. The campaign of Mary Peltola and the League of Women's Voters also sought to intervene and dismiss the case, describing the federal claims as lawless. The presiding judge indicated she would consider the filings quickly, noting the lawsuit was filed after voting had already commenced.