AI Image
Judge tosses DOJ Alaska lawsuit over U.S. Senate race : NPR
NPR • • general
Key Points:
- A federal judge dismissed the Trump administration's attempt to block certification of Alaska's U.S. Senate race results, ruling the federal government lacks the authority to intervene in the state's election certification process.
- Judge Sharon Gleason emphasized that stopping certification could violate voters' right to a secret ballot, and the Justice Department is expected to appeal the decision.
- The lawsuit stemmed from concerns over voter confusion due to two similarly named candidates—incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan and non-affiliated Daniel Sullivan Jr.—on Alaska's ranked-choice ballot.
- Allegations have surfaced that Democrats recruited Sullivan Jr. to split the vote, prompting an ongoing Justice Department criminal investigation and a state-level probe ordered by Alaska's Republican governor.
- Despite the controversy, early voting remains strong in Alaska, with over 86,700 ballots cast and election officials preparing for continued voting through Election Day.
