The U.S. Department of Justice filed a federal lawsuit to preemptively block the certification of Alaska’s U.S. Senate race if incumbent Republican Senator Dan S. Sullivan loses to Democratic challenger Mary Peltola. The administration claims the ballot is too confusing because it features two candidates named Daniel Sullivan, including independent candidate Daniel J. Sullivan Jr.
Early voting in Alaska began on October 19, 2026. The lawsuit asks a federal court to withhold certification if Senator Sullivan finishes behind Peltola but would have won had voters cast ballots intended for him for the independent candidate instead.
Legal Scholars Dismiss the Federal Argument
Legal experts and democracy advocates have sharply criticized the lawsuit as baseless. Notre Dame law professor Derek Muller called the legal argument one of the worst he has ever seen. Election law expert Rick Hasen wrote in Slate that the complaint is shoddily written with typos and legally vacuous claims, noting that the Justice Department holds no power to decide ballot access or block election certification under the National Voter Registration Act’s preamble.
This is the corruption AK is fed up with, and it's why I'm in this race. Sullivan has enriched himself at our expense for 12 years. Now he’s using his DC allies to try to keep himself in power and put his own interests ahead of Alaskans.We will make sure every Alaskan is heard. https://t.co/b1zzIf1Fyx
Walter Olson, a senior fellow at the libertarian Cato Institute, described the litigation as abusive and frivolous, noting that the federal claims were introduced at the last minute. Meanwhile, Center for American Progress senior fellow Ben Hovland stated that the administration has sunk to a new low in attempting to suppress votes and sow doubt.
Democrats condemn federal intervention in state elections
President Donald Trump boasted that he ordered the lawsuit shortly after it was filed. Democratic lawmakers and candidates have condemned the intervention as an attempt to influence midterm results and exert federal control over state-run elections. Mary Peltola criticized the move, stating on the social platform X that Sullivan is using Washington allies to keep himself in power. Representative Ayanna Pressley and Sheldon Whitehouse also denounced the action on social media, characterizing it as an unprecedented federal intervention into state matters.
This is the kind of thug behavior creepy billionaires and their government stooges resort to when it looks like the people are going to reclaim their power. Democracy? Or government-by-billionaire? https://t.co/Ptr8q606Be
When early voting starts and who is running
When did early voting start in Alaska?
Early voting in Alaska began on October 19, 2026.
Who are the main candidates in the Alaska U.S. Senate race?
Incumbent Republican Senator Dan S. Sullivan faces a challenge from Democratic candidate Mary Peltola and independent candidate Daniel J. Sullivan Jr.
Fearful that he is losing in Alaska, Trump is desperately clinging to power by weaponizing the Justice Department and declaring fraud nearly two weeks before an election has even occurred. The only threat to election integrity is Donald Trump.https://t.co/DthyogreyW
How did the independent candidate get on the ballot?
Although a state court originally blocked independent candidate Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. from the ballot, the Alaska Supreme Court reinstated his candidacy in June.
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