Justice Department lawsuit seeking to delay Alaska Senate certification dismissed by federal judge

U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason on November 1, 2026 dismissed a Department of Justice lawsuit attempting to block certification of the Alaska Senate election if Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan loses. The federal government cited potential voter confusion from rival candidate Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., but Judge Gleason ruled the DOJ lacked standing and would violate voter ballot secrecy. President Donald Trump confirmed ordering the lawsuit, and the DOJ filed an immediate notice of appeal.

Dismissal of the Department of Justice lawsuit

• ▪Judge Sharon Gleason ruled that the federal government lacked legal standing and provided no workable plan to segregate ballots while preserving voter ballot secrecy
• ▪U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason on November 1, 2026 dismissed a U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit seeking to delay certification of the Alaska Senate election if Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan loses
• ▪Judge Sharon Gleason denied allowing the Department of Justice to further amend its lawsuit seeking to delay certification of Alaska's Senate election, finding that such an amendment would be futile

Daniel j. Sullivan Jr. ballot access

• ▪The Alaska Supreme Court previously ruled in June 2026 that Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. had the legal right to appear on the state's Senate ballot
• ▪Alaska election officials originally blocked candidate Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. from the primary ballot before a state judge permitted him onto the ballot

Investigations into candidacy of Daniel j. Sullivan Jr.

• ▪Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy directed state authorities to open an investigation into potential civil or criminal violations regarding the candidacy of Daniel J. Sullivan Jr.
• ▪U.S. Attorney Michael Heyman confirmed that ongoing criminal and civil investigations exist regarding Daniel J. Sullivan Jr.'s decision to enter the U.S. Senate race

Dan Sullivan election statements

• ▪Incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan stated on CNN on November 1, 2026 that he would accept the final results of Alaska's Senate election whether he wins or loses
• ▪Senator Dan Sullivan accused Mary Peltola's campaign during a November 1, 2026 CNN interview of cheating because she could not run on her record

Alaska Senate race competitiveness

• ▪The outcome of the Alaska Senate race between Dan Sullivan and Mary Peltola will be determined by a ranked-choice voting system in a race that helps decide control of the U.S. Senate majority
• ▪The Cook Political Report rated the 2026 Alaska U.S. Senate election between incumbent Dan Sullivan and challenger Mary Peltola as a toss-up