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The U.S. Department of Justice urged a court order Friday to isolate certain Alaska ballots to investigate potential voter confusion, as federal officials confirmed an ongoing criminal probe regarding a Senate candidate who shares a name with the Republican incumbent. The developments emerged just days before the ranked-choice general election in a closely watched race between two-term Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan and Democratic former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola.
Federal Investigation and Ballot Isolation Request
Alaska U.S. Attorney Michael Heyman told reporters in Anchorage that the investigation has lasted several months. He noted that recent reporting by The New York Times indicating Peltola’s campaign allegedly recruited retired teacher Dan J. Sullivan triggered a significant increase of law enforcement resources in the state. Assistant U.S. Attorney E. Bryan Wilson stated in a court filing that the government aims to preserve and segregate all ballots ranking Daniel J. Sullivan to investigate potential voter confusion.
The owner of a Petersburg boat dealership who donated to Dan J. Sullivan’s campaign told The Associated Press that an FBI agent visited his business to ask if he had been misled. The business owner said he had not been misled, adding that everyone knows who the incumbent is. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice submitted a list of proposed questions to compel the Peltola campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee to answer as part of a civil lawsuit seeking to block certification if the incumbent loses. President Donald Trump stated he directed the department to file the case.
State Response and Candidate Denials
State attorneys questioned how ballot segregation could be accomplished, noting that votes are commingled on Election Day and that separating ballots ranking Dan J. Sullivan would violate secrecy protections without revealing voters’ motivations. They asked a judge to dismiss the case and emphasized that election officials already distinguished the two candidates on the ballot, listing the senator as Dan S. Sullivan, Republican and incumbent, while the challenger appears as Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., with no party affiliation. State attorneys also argued that the ranked-choice system allows voters to rank both Sullivans, further addressing confusion concerns.
Peltola denied knowledge of any effort to place Dan J. Sullivan on the ballot, stating she is not interested in tricking voters. Democrats, including the DSCC, and Dan J. Sullivan have consistently denied any campaign trickery or Democratic backing. At a campaign rally in Anchorage late Friday, Peltola expressed deep offense at the accusations, stating she does not need outside help to win. When asked if anyone on her campaign was involved, she told KTUU she had no idea and referenced her former campaign manager, Elisa Rios, who was fired before the August primary, saying certain people are gone for a good reason.
Unusual Timing and Political Fallout
Heyman declined to specify the potential crimes under investigation or the targets, while requesting public tips. It is rare for the Justice Department to publicly discuss or confirm a criminal investigation, particularly in the weeks leading up to an election due to policies against influencing political outcomes. During a rally in Florida, Trump stated that Peltola and Dan J. Sullivan should be prosecuted, while addressing U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche in attendance about decisions regarding the case.
Federal prosecutors issued dozens of grand jury subpoenas and record preservation requests this week, according to a person familiar with the matter speaking to The Associated Press. Republican Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced he ordered an investigation following the reporting by The New York Times. Separately, the Alaska Democratic Party filed a lawsuit against state elections officials, claiming absentee in-person voting sites failed to open as advertised in certain rural communities, though the Division of Elections director stated agreements were signed and most of the 18 highlighted sites had opened.
