The Justice Department sued Alaska over two Senate candidates named Dan Sullivan, seeking to delay certification over voter confusion. Officials argue voters could confuse Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan with fellow candidate Daniel J. Sullivan. As the incumbent faces Democrat Mary Peltola, the lawsuit has drawn criticism ahead of Election Day.
According to CNBC, the lawsuit targets “any result that may be impacted by voter confusion.” Federal lawyers want officials to determine whether voters mistakenly selected Daniel J. Sullivan instead of the incumbent. The complaint also alleges the other Sullivan entered the race to help Peltola by drawing votes away from the senator.
Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system allows voters to rank candidates by preference. The ballot identifies the incumbent as a Republican, while Daniel J. Sullivan appears without a party designation. However, the DOJ argues voters could select the wrong candidate or fail to rank the incumbent.
The other Sullivan received less than 3% of the vote in Alaska’s August primary. Peltola received 49.5%, compared with the incumbent’s 41.1%. Meanwhile, FiftyPlusOne’s polling average places the Democrat roughly two points ahead.
DOJ’s Alaska Senate Lawsuit Over Two Dan Sullivans Draws Backlash
On Reddit, users questioned the lawsuit’s timing and whether the ballot posed a serious risk of confusion.
“Ahh yes they haven’t even lost yet and they’re trying to overturn the elections,” one user wrote. Another pointed to the approaching election, stating, “I was told no extraordinary measures too close to an election.”
Others highlighted Alaska’s existing voting safeguards. “I just voted in Alaska. They also included (incumbent) next to the current senator’s name,” one response stated. Another questioned the need for federal intervention, asking, “Also, isn’t Alaska ranked choice? So why would it even matter?”
However, some acknowledged concerns about the similar names. “Hear me out – Having Daniel Sullivan, and Daniel J. Sullivan, both republicans, on the ballot is confusing,” one user argued. Another challenged the lawsuit’s characterization, stating, “It doesn’t say anything about applying only if Democrats win.”
The court has not yet ruled on the DOJ’s requested injunction. Its decision could determine whether Alaska faces additional certification requirements after the election.
