Judge Gleason Dismisses DOJ Suit to Block Alaska Senate Certification

Key points

• Judge Sharon Gleason dismissed the DOJ lawsuit two days before Election Day, finding the federal government lacked legal standing to block state certification.
• The DOJ argued that voter confusion between incumbent Dan S. Sullivan and non-incumbent Dan J. Sullivan Jr. could influence the race, citing the National Voter Registration Act.
• Gleason ruled that any court order to segregate ballots would likely violate Alaskan voters' right to a secret ballot.
• The Justice Department spokesperson stated they plan to appeal, arguing Alaskan voters deserve a fair election free from attempts to rig outcomes.
• Incumbent Dan S. Sullivan told CNN he would accept the election results, win or lose, while accusing Peltola of lying about her involvement in recruiting the second candidate.
• A New York Times report alleged that Peltola’s campaign recruited Dan J. Sullivan Jr. to split votes, a claim Peltola has denied.

Background

This dispute follows a June Alaska Supreme Court ruling allowing Dan J. Sullivan Jr. to run as a candidate. The controversy intensified after a New York Times investigation in late 2025 alleged that Peltola’s campaign actively sought to recruit a second Dan Sullivan to confuse voters on the ranked-choice ballot. The DOJ filed its lawsuit in October, just two weeks before the election, prompting voting rights experts to call it an unprecedented federal intervention. Previous archive coverage noted that the judge fast-tracked the case to allow a ruling before Election Day, and that Republicans currently hold 53 Senate seats, making this race pivotal for majority control.

How outlets are covering it

The Washington Post and The Guardian emphasized the extraordinary nature of the federal intervention, highlighting the DOJ's argument that voter confusion could invalidate the race if the Republican loses. The New York Times provided background on the alleged Democratic strategy to recruit a second Dan Sullivan, framing it as a deliberate effort to split votes. WBUR focused on the legal standing issue and the reaction from voting rights groups, such as the ACLU, which called the lawsuit lawless. While all sources agree on the dismissal, they differ in emphasis: The Guardian and Post highlight the political stakes and Trump’s involvement, while WBUR and the Post focus on the legal reasoning regarding voter secrecy and standing. Sullivan’s stance is consistent across sources: he accepts the results but accuses Peltola of deception. Peltola consistently denies involvement in the recruitment of the second candidate.

Why it matters

The dismissal removes a significant legal obstacle to certifying the Alaska Senate race, ensuring that the outcome will be determined by voters rather than federal courts. This race is critical for Senate majority control, as Democrats need to flip seats to maintain a majority. The ruling also sets a precedent regarding federal intervention in state election processes, potentially influencing future challenges to election results. The ongoing state-level investigation and potential DOJ appeal mean that legal disputes may continue, but the immediate threat to certification has been resolved.

What to watch

The Justice Department plans to appeal the ruling, which could lead to further legal battles. Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy’s investigation into campaign conduct may result in additional state-level actions, potentially affecting certification if wrongdoing is found. Voting continues through Election Day on November 3, with results expected to be certified after the vote is counted. The outcome of the race will determine whether Republicans or Democrats hold the majority in the Senate, with significant implications for legislative control in the coming term.