Judge rules federal government lacked standing in Alaska Senate certification dispute

A federal judge in Alaska has ruled that the U.S. government cannot block the certification of Senate election results in the state. The decision was issued by U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason on Sunday.

Gleason determined that the federal government did not have the legal ability to bring the lawsuit. The case was filed by attorneys from the Justice Department. They argued for the suit by citing the preamble of the National Voter Registration Act. The administration is expected to appeal the ruling. Gleason was nominated to the bench by former President Barack Obama.

The lawsuit was initiated by President Trump. He stated that he ordered the filing because two candidates on the Alaska ballot share similar names. One is Sen. Dan Sullivan, the Republican incumbent. The other is Daniel Sullivan Jr., an unaffiliated candidate. This naming overlap has raised concerns about potential voter confusion.

Alaska's Republican Party had previously supported a different effort in state court. That earlier attempt sought to remove Sullivan Jr. from the ballot. The Alaska Supreme Court rejected that move in June. The court ruled that Sullivan Jr. had the right to run as a candidate.

Allegations that Democratic supporters helped recruit Sullivan Jr. to spoil the election have persisted. A report from The New York Times detailed efforts by Democratic campaign operatives to recruit the unaffiliated candidate. NPR has not independently confirmed those specific claims. The report has renewed attention on the closely watched contest.

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy has ordered an investigation into the race. He indicated that the state's certification of results may be delayed or altered depending on the findings. Speaking during a Friday interview with NewsNation, Dunleavy said, "If we find out there's wrongdoing, and if that means that the certification then is stopped or changed, then that's what happens."

U.S. Attorney Michael Heyman announced an ongoing criminal probe by the Justice Department at a press conference in Anchorage on Friday. The Democratic candidate, former Rep. Mary Peltola, has denied any involvement in the recruitment of Sullivan Jr.