DOJ Sues Alaska to Bar Certifying a Senate Result Sen. Sullivan Loses, Citing a Same-Name Candidate

On October 22, 2026, the Justice Department sued Alaska, its elections director and its election and ballot-review boards in federal court in Anchorage (No. 3:26-cv-00376), asking the court to bar certification of the U.S. Senate result in one case only: if “Senator Sullivan does not win the election” and the votes cast for a second candidate, Daniel J. Sullivan, would have elected him had they gone to the incumbent. The complaint says “it is vital that Defendants not certify any election result that may be impacted by voter confusion,” calls the second candidate’s run a “frivolous candidacy,” and asks the court to hold certification “pending an investigation to determine whether votes cast for Daniel J. Sullivan were meant to be cast for Senator Sullivan.” Its one count rests on the National Voter Registration Act’s statement of purpose, to “protect the integrity of the electoral process.” It is signed by Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward Jr. Trump told reporters, “I’m the one that said ‘do it,’” CNBC reported.

On 10/23/26, Alaskans for Mary and the DSCC moved to intervene, and the League of Women Voters of Alaska, Common Cause and individual voters moved to intervene as defendants. The suit sets up a post-election certification fight before any ballots are counted, through the Justice Department’s own civil enforcement power.