Federal judge rejects Trump-backed bid to block Alaska Senate certification

Key points

• U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason ruled that the federal government does not have the authority to bring the lawsuit challenging the Alaska Senate race.
• The Justice Department had argued that the presence of two candidates named Dan Sullivan on the ballot created voter confusion that could influence the election outcome.
• Incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan told CNN he would accept the election results even if he loses, though he accused Democratic nominee Mary Peltola of lying about her involvement in the dispute.
• Alaska state officials urged the judge to dismiss the case, arguing that segregating ballots would violate voter secrecy laws and that the state Supreme Court had already approved the second candidate’s name.
• The lawsuit was filed less than two weeks before Election Day, a move described by voting rights experts as an unprecedented federal intervention in a state-controlled process.

Background

The dispute centers on the presence of Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., a non-incumbent candidate, on the November ballot alongside incumbent Dan S. Sullivan. A New York Times investigation reported that aides from Mary Peltola’s campaign recruited Sullivan Jr. to dilute support for the incumbent, a claim Peltola has denied. The case follows a June ruling by the Alaska Supreme Court that affirmed Sullivan Jr.’s right to run. This legal challenge is part of a broader pattern of federal interventions in the 2026 midterms, which courts have largely rejected as legally weak.

How outlets are covering it

The Justice Department, led by Attorney General Todd Blanche, framed the lawsuit as a necessary measure to protect ballot integrity and prevent voter confusion caused by the similar names. In contrast, voting rights experts and Democratic campaigns characterized the move as an unprecedented overreach that lacked constitutional authority. While The Guardian and NPR focused on the legal dismissal and Sullivan’s acceptance of the results, The Washington Post highlighted the broader Republican narrative of existential stakes in the midterms, noting that GOP candidates across the country are framing Democratic victories as a threat to the republic. Sullivan himself expressed doubt about Peltola’s innocence, calling her 'continually lying,' despite his public commitment to accepting the vote count.

Why it matters

The ruling prevents the federal government from interfering with the certification of a critical Senate race that could determine control of the U.S. Senate. It sets a precedent against federal intervention in state election processes, particularly in close races where the outcome is contested. The dismissal reinforces the principle that state authorities, not the federal government, manage the certification of election results, even amid allegations of ballot manipulation or voter confusion.

What to watch

The Justice Department is expected to appeal Judge Gleason’s ruling. Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy has ordered an investigation into the allegations and indicated that the state may not certify the results if wrongdoing is found. The outcome of the race will be determined on Election Day, with early voting already underway in the state.