State attorneys in Alaska urged a federal judge on Saturday to permanently dismiss a Trump administration lawsuit seeking to block the certification of the state’s fiercely contested Senate race if Republican incumbent Sen. Dan S. Sullivan loses.
In a court filing submitted just three days before Election Day, the Republican-led Alaska attorney general’s office called the federal challenge meritless. State officials argued that the administration’s demands are inappropriate and violate Alaskan voters’ rights to ballot secrecy, asking the court to immediately toss out the lawsuit with prejudice so local authorities can run the election and certify results without federal interference.
The Trump administration filed the lawsuit on Oct. 22 against local election officials, arguing that the Senate race results should not be certified unless Sen. Dan S. Sullivan is declared the winner. The federal complaint centers on a retired teacher who shares the same name as the incumbent senator and entered the contest, a development the administration claims was orchestrated by Democratic challenger Mary Peltola’s campaign to siphon votes from Sullivan. Peltola has repeatedly denied any involvement.
Alaska officials criticized the legal framework the administration used to claim standing, emphasizing that election certification is a state responsibility. The filing noted that the Alaska Supreme Court approved the second candidate Sullivan’s name for the ballot months ago and maintained that state officials carefully designed the ballot to minimize any potential voter confusion.
State attorneys also blasted a Justice Department proposal to segregate ballots that rank Daniel J. Sullivan, describing the concept as unexplained, disturbing, and impossible. The filing stated that regardless of how ballots are physically stored, it remains simple to identify which ones rank Daniel J., rendering the segregation proposal nonsensical.
The federal complaint was amended this week following media reports alleging Peltola’s campaign recruited the minor candidate and that Peltola herself knew of the plan. The reporting relied on statements from a former campaign manager who subsequently attempted to retract her comments.
Addressing supporters at a rally Friday night, Peltola pushed back sharply against the claims. “I want fewer candidates in the primary. I’m not out soliciting more competition,” she said, adding that she was deeply offended by the accusations and did not need help defeating the incumbent.
Meanwhile, Sen. Dan S. Sullivan maintained his criticism during a television interview on Saturday, accusing his opponent of deception and disdain for voters. A federal judge is expected to rule shortly on whether to dismiss the litigation or allow the case to proceed.
