Justice Department seeks to isolate Alaska ballots amid criminal probe : NPR

Key Points:

• The U.S. Department of Justice is seeking a court order to isolate Alaska ballots ranking a candidate named Dan J. Sullivan to investigate potential voter confusion with incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan ahead of the state's ranked choice Senate election.
• A criminal investigation is underway regarding the recruitment of Dan J. Sullivan, who shares a name with the incumbent, with authorities issuing grand jury subpoenas and seeking public tips; the probe intensified after reports suggested involvement by Democratic operatives.
• Alaska election officials have resisted segregating ballots, citing ballot secrecy and logistical challenges, and have highlighted efforts to distinguish the two candidates on the ballot by name and party affiliation.
• The Justice Department's public acknowledgment of the investigation and its timing just days before the election is unusual, drawing attention amid political tensions, with former President Trump calling for prosecution of the Democratic candidate Mary Peltola and Dan J. Sullivan.
• Separately, the Alaska Democratic Party has sued state officials over alleged failures to open absentee in-person voting sites in rural areas, while the state maintains most sites opened as planned.