The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit in Alaska federal court to block the certification of the Senate election if Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan loses. The suit argues that the presence of a second Sullivan on the ballot could confuse voters and distort the election results. The lawsuit seeks a delay in certification if Sullivan loses by less than the number of votes for the second Sullivan.
President Trump personally directed the DOJ to file the lawsuit, claiming the second Sullivan's candidacy is a 'scam' aimed at misleading voters. The DOJ argues that the inclusion of the second Sullivan could lead to confusion in Alaska's ranked-choice voting system, where votes for one Sullivan could be counted for the other. The lawsuit does not specify how an investigation into the votes would be conducted.
The lawsuit is part of a broader pattern of Trump administration efforts to assert control over state election procedures. It follows similar actions in California and other states, including attempts to obtain private voting data and restrict mail voting. The case could impact the outcome of the upcoming midterm elections, with concerns raised by Democrats and civil rights groups about potential interference.
The Alaska Supreme Court previously rejected efforts to remove the second Sullivan from the ballot, ruling him a valid candidate. The lawsuit seeks to delay certification pending an investigation into whether votes for the second Sullivan should have gone to the incumbent. Neither candidate has commented on the lawsuit, and the case is pending resolution.