A federal court in Anchorage has cleared the path for Alaska state election officials to certify next week’s Senate results, dismissing a Justice Department lawsuit just days before voters head to the polls. The November 1 ruling from U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason rejects attempts by the administration to preemptively block election certification if Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan loses a race against Democratic nominee Mary Peltola.
The legal challenge centered on the presence of another candidate on the ballot sharing the name Daniel J. Sullivan, a retired schoolteacher whose entry sparked debate. The court noted that early voting was already underway, with ballots commingled in a manner that would prevent officials from linking individual ballots to voters while maintaining voter secrecy.
Judge Gleason Blocks Federal Request to Delay Election Certification
In her 20-page decision, Judge Gleason determined that the federal government failed to establish that it had legal standing to file a civil complaint to postpone certification of the election. The court cited a Supreme Court decision that established the so-called Purcell principle, which “strongly cautions” against courts altering election rules on the eve of election.
The absence of any explanation from the United States as to how its requested relief could redress its alleged injury while simultaneously maintaining the secrecy of the ballot is telling.
— U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason
David Becker, Executive Director of the Center for Election Innovation & Research (CEIR), framed the decision as a victory for Alaska state sovereignty and Alaskan voters. In a statement released following the ruling, Becker emphasized that, under the US Constitution, the federal government has no role in determining how Alaska certifies its Senate election.
Stakes in the Balance for the Senate Majority
The contest between Peltola and Dan Sullivan is one of several contests that determine which party has a Senate majority, where Republicans currently hold a narrow lead. The state’s ranked-choice voting system adds another layer of complexity, allowing voters to rank multiple candidates and potentially altering the final outcome depending on how secondary preferences break.
Peltola’s campaign criticized the federal intervention, releasing a statement that dismissed the legal challenge as a baseless lawsuit. The Department of Justice filed a notice of its intention to appeal the decision to the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.
With the federal lawsuit dismissed, local election administrators maintain responsibility for overseeing the count. Alaskan voters will decide the seat directly on Tuesday.
