The United States Department of Justice moved Friday for a court order to segregate certain Alaska ballots just days before a ranked-choice Senate election, as federal authorities confirmed a criminal probe into a candidate sharing a name with the Republican incumbent. The developments center on a contest between two-term Republican Senator Dan Sullivan and Democratic former US Representative Mary Peltola.
Alaska US Attorney Michael Heyman told reporters in Anchorage that the investigation has been active for several months. However, recent reporting by The New York Times suggesting that Peltola’s campaign was involved in recruiting retired teacher Dan J. Sullivan triggered a “significant surge of law enforcement assets to Alaska”.”
The Justice Department asked a US District Court judge to direct state election officials to preserve and segregate all ballots ranking Daniel J. Sullivan. Assistant US Attorney E. Bryan Wilson stated in a court filing that the government seeks to investigate potential voter confusion should such an inquiry become necessary. The department also filed proposed questions it aims to compel the Peltola campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee to answer in a civil case seeking to block certification of the race if the incumbent loses.
President Donald Trump told reporters on Friday that he personally instructed the department to file the action. During an appearance in Fort Myers, Florida, Trump remarked that he was the one who said to do it, while later rallying for a Republican candidate and arguing that Peltola should be removed from the ballot.
The Legal Battle Over Ballots and Certification
The federal lawsuit faces pushback. Attorneys for Alaska asked US District Judge Sharon Gleason to dismiss the federal complaint, arguing that the Department of Justice lacks the legal authority to bring the case, as election administration is a matter of state law. University of Kentucky law professor Joshua Douglas noted that even if Democrats encouraged the second Dan Sullivan to run, he validly qualified for the ballot, making it a matter of state law.
State officials have maintained that Alaska’s election systems account for potential confusion by allowing voters to rank both Sullivans. The state’s ranked-choice voting system allows voters to rank both candidates if they choose.
Speaking with MS NOW on Friday, Mary Peltola rebuked the federal intervention as a desperate attempt to silence Alaskans and a distraction. Addressing supporters in Juneau on Thursday, Peltola stated she knew nothing about other candidates on the ballot beyond herself and the incumbent, adding that she has no interest in tricking voters.
Criminal Probes and Unprecedented Federal Steps
Federal prosecutors issued dozens of grand jury subpoenas and records preservation demands this week, according to a person familiar with the matter speaking to the Associated Press. While US Attorney Heyman declined to specify the exact crimes under investigation, legal experts suggest prosecutors could look at federal statutes originally enacted in 1871 to address conspiracies against constitutional voting rights.
It is highly unusual for Justice Department officials to publicly discuss a criminal investigation or even confirm its existence. Following the initial reporting, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy announced that he had also ordered a state investigation into whether any violations took place.
| Key Figure / Entity | Role in the Alaska Senate Race | Stance on the Controversy |
|---|---|---|
| Dan S. Sullivan | Republican Incumbent US Senator | Not stated. |
| Mary Peltola | Democratic Former US Representative | Denies any prior knowledge of or involvement in recruiting the second candidate. |
| Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. | Senate Candidate | Has consistently denied running at the behest of the Democratic Party. |
| Michael Heyman | US Attorney for Alaska | Confirmed open criminal and civil probes following recent investigative reporting. |
With Judge Gleason weighing the state’s motion to dismiss the federal lawsuit, the outcome remains closely tied to the broader fight for control of the US Senate.
