The suit, filed in US District Court in Alaska, asks a judge to declare that certifying a result affected by voter confusion would breach the state’s duties under the National Voter Registration Act, CNBC reported. It quotes Alaska Elections Director Carol Beecher’s finding that Daniel J. Sullivan’s candidacy, which took 2.5 percent in the August 28 open primary, was for the purpose of confusing or misleading voters, and argues that his votes would transfer to Peltola under ranked-choice voting after his elimination. Peltola leads Sullivan by a narrow two points in the FiftyPlusOne polling average cited by CNBC, and no Alaska official or campaign had responded in the account as published.
Justice Department sues to block Alaska Senate certification
The Justice Department sued on Thursday to block Alaska from certifying the winner of its US Senate election if Republican Senator Dan Sullivan loses, citing the state elections director's finding that a rival candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan was on the ballot to confuse voters.
Why it matters: The race between Sullivan and Democrat Mary Peltola is one of seven Senate toss-ups rated by Cook Political Report, and the suit asks a federal court to intervene in certification before the November 3 general election is held.
Data as of CNBC report of October 23, 2026, read in full; Politico carried the same development the same day. Single detailed source as of writing, and the CNBC account contains no response from Alaska officials or either campaign. Developing item.