The Trump administration filed a lawsuit against Alaska election officials on Thursday. The government wants to block the state from certifying the U.S. Senate race results. This happens because two candidates on the ballot share the name Dan Sullivan. One is the incumbent Republican, and the other is a retired teacher with no party label.
The Justice Department was ordered by President Donald Trump to undertake this measure. He argued that the presence of a second Dan Sullivan confuses voters. Trump wrote on Truth Social that the situation is “totally confusing.” He also called the election setup a “SCAM” because the court did not stop it sooner.
Claims that DOJ is trying to stop Alaska’s election are FALSE.
Alaska’s Division of Elections determined that Dan J. Sullivan’s candidacy was intended to mislead voters and meddle in the election for his favor.
Therefore, we are seeking to protect election integrity, consistent with the National Voter Registration Act (enacted by Congress) and ensure the will of Alaska voters is respected.
— DOJ Rapid Response (@DOJRR47) October 23, 2026
Alaska uses a ranked-choice voting system that voters approved in 2020. Under this system, the top four candidates move to the general election. Voters then rank these four choices to find a winner. The state’s Division of Elections determined that the retired teacher, Dan J. Sullivan, meant to mislead voters. The DOJ says the lawsuit aims to protect election integrity.
A DOJ Rapid Response statement explained their position clearly. They said claims that they are trying to stop the election are false. The filing notes that the state found the second candidate’s run was intended to meddle in the election. They argue this action is consistent with federal voter registration laws.
The lawsuit does not ask a judge to pick a winner right now. Instead, it asks the court to pause certification if the incumbent loses. The government claims the result would change if votes for the teacher went to the senator. The filing states that respecting Alaska voters’ will would be guaranteed by this step.
The left is screaming that Trump wants to overturn Alaska’s election. Here’s what they’re leaving out.
There are two Dan Sullivans on the same Senate ballot. One is the actual Republican senator. The other is a retired teacher who pulled 2.5% in the primary. Throw ranked-choice voting on top of that, and voters can pick the wrong guy without ever knowing it.
The DOJ is suing so Alaska can’t certify a result decided by name confusion. I call that making sure Alaskans get the senator they actually voted for.
Clear ballots. No name games. Kill ranked-choice voting.
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) October 23, 2026
A motion to halt this was submitted by Senate Democrats and attorneys representing Democrat Mary Peltola. They urge a federal judge to drop the Trump administration’s lawsuit immediately. The motion describes the legal action as “an unprecedented pre-emptive strike on democratic elections.” They argue the case threatens their interests directly.
The filing from Peltola’s team states a specific condition for the block. It says the lawsuit demands officials refuse to certify the election “if, and only if, Peltola wins.” The group claims this is part of a larger attack on free elections. They say the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has fought this at every turn.
🚨 BREAKING OVERNIGHT: President Trump is SUING Alaska over the fake Dan Sullivan on the Senate ballot, a candidate planted there by Dems to siphon votes from Sen. Dan Sullivan (R) and hand the seat to Mary Peltola (D)
The suit would BLOCK certification of any result where the second Sullivan’s votes could have flipped the race, until an investigation determines whether those voters actually meant to pick the senator
GOOD!! He should not even BE on the ballot.
DOJ says the candidacy’s “sole purpose” is to help Peltola. Republicans point to a Democrat consultant, Amber Lee, who has worked on his campaign
Even Alaska’s own elections office tried to kick him off the ballot in June.
The state courts put him back on one day before the ballots were printed.
This is obvious fraudulent election interference!
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 23, 2026
RedState reports that the incumbent is a longtime Republican senator. The other Dan Sullivan registered as a Republican shortly before filing. The two names sit side by side on the ballot. One has a party label while the other does not. This setup creates the confusion the federal government now cites as grounds for legal action.
