Alaska Opens Civil and Criminal Probes Into Sullivan Ballot Allegations
U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman said the investigations are proceeding separately. The criminal inquiry concerns allegations of an effort to confuse voters by placing a candidate with the same name as Republican Sen. Daniel Sullivan on the ballot. The civil case is focused on preserving ballots and examining possible voter deception under the National Voter Registration Act.
Heyman said a request for a preliminary injunction and expedited discovery would be filed by Monday, the day before Election Day. The Justice Department had already sued on October 22, seeking to prevent certification of a Democratic victory if the second Sullivan remained on the ballot. A decision on Mary Peltola’s request to dismiss that lawsuit could come as early as Saturday.
The ballot includes the incumbent, Democratic challenger Peltola, retired teacher Daniel J. Sullivan and another candidate. A report alleging that Peltola campaign aides and Democratic campaign officials helped recruit the retiree prompted the investigations. Sullivan has denied contact with Peltola’s campaign; Peltola has said she knew nothing about another candidate and was not trying to trick voters.
Heyman urged voters to choose the candidate they intend to support, saying officials were working to ensure votes count as intended. Alaska uses ranked-choice voting, which allows voters to select more than one candidate.
A legal expert has questioned whether the federal government has authority to bring the civil case, arguing election administration belongs to states and that the second Sullivan qualified under state law. Early voting continues through Monday in some districts, and Election Day is Tuesday.
Federal Lawsuit Puts Alaska Senate Ballots at Risk Before Election Day
The Trump administration is escalating its challenge to Alaska’s Senate race just days before Election Day. The Justice Department’s civil lawsuit seeks to block certification of a Democratic win if retired teacher Daniel J. Sullivan remains on the ballot, and Alaska’s top federal prosecutor says a preliminary injunction request is due by Monday.
The case rests on allegations that Democratic operatives helped recruit a candidate sharing the Republican incumbent’s name to confuse voters. But the retiree denies contact with Mary Peltola’s campaign, and Peltola says she knew nothing about another candidate and had no interest in deceiving voters.
Heyman said a separate criminal investigation is also underway, while the civil inquiry focuses on preserving ballots and possible voter deception. The two tracks bring federal scrutiny into a state-run election at a moment when early voting is still underway.
A legal expert has argued that the federal government lacks authority to bring the civil case because the Constitution assigns election administration to states. The same expert said the second Sullivan qualified under state law, regardless of who encouraged him to run. Peltola’s lawyers are asking a judge to dismiss the lawsuit; a decision could come as early as Saturday.
Alaska’s ranked-choice system allows voters to select more than one candidate. Early voting continues through Monday in some districts, with Election Day on Tuesday.
Federal Investigations Target Alleged Ballot Confusion in Alaska Senate Race
Alaska’s top federal prosecutor says federal investigators are examining a serious allegation: that Democratic operatives recruited a candidate with the same name as Republican Sen. Daniel Sullivan to confuse voters in a pivotal Senate contest.
U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman said the criminal and civil investigations are proceeding separately. The civil case aims to preserve ballots and assess possible voter deception, with a preliminary injunction request and expedited discovery expected by Monday—one day before the election. The Justice Department’s lawsuit seeks to prevent certification of a Democratic victory if the second Sullivan remains on the ballot.
The retiree, Daniel J. Sullivan, denies having contact with Peltola’s campaign. Peltola also denies knowing about another candidate, saying she was not interested in tricking voters. Those denials are part of the dispute now under investigation, not a resolution of it.
The case has drawn questions about federal authority. A legal expert argues that election administration belongs to the states and that the second Sullivan validly qualified under state law. Peltola’s lawyers have asked a judge to dismiss the Justice Department’s suit, and a ruling could come as early as Saturday.
Heyman urged Alaskans to vote for their intended choice and said officials are working to ensure votes count accordingly. Early voting continues through Monday in some districts; Election Day is Tuesday.
Reported by The Guardian US, FOX 10 Phoenix.
