A federal judge in Alaska blocked a lawsuit ordered by President Donald Trump aiming to stop the state’s election officials from certifying the results of the closely watched U.S. Senate race if Republican incumbent Sen. Dan S. Sullivan narrowly loses his reelection bid.
On Sunday morning. U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason ruled that the Justice Department does not have legal standing to bring its lawsuit against the state of Alaska, Division of Elections Director Carol Beecher and the state election and ballot-counting review boards.
Gleason’s ruling, siding with the state, was particularly critical of the feasibility of the federal government’s request Friday to segregate all ballots showing votes for Petersburg resident Dan J. Sullivan, the namesake challenger to the Republican incumbent.
“Clearly, if this Court were to order that certain ballots will be segregated and subject to a future and as yet unspecified investigation by law enforcement, it would likely result in voter ‘confusion and consequent incentive to remain away from the polls,’” Gleason said in the ruling. “Such late-breaking changes to the election rules are strongly disfavored.”
The Justice Department’s lawsuit was filed last week, before The New York Times reported that Democratic candidate and former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola’s campaign staff and a national Democratic group had allegedly helped recruit the Petersburg Sullivan to run as a potential spoiler. The campaign has long denied any such effort.
After the Times story was published, the Justice Department has brought a “surge” of federal investigators in Alaska to investigate the allegations that the Petersburg Sullivan may have been persuaded to launch his candidacy to mislead voters.
Experts have said that the revelations in the Times story don’t appear to reflect unlawful behavior.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
