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NewsWPLG Local 10 – PoliticsOctober 31, 2026Miami-Dade County

Justice Department seeks court order to isolate Alaska ballots amid criminal probe over Senate candidate

Photo: WPLG Local 10 – Politics

The U.S. Department of Justice asked a federal court to order Alaska elections officials to preserve and segregate ballots ranking candidate Dan J. Sullivan to investigate potential voter confusion. The filing coincides with an ongoing criminal probe into the candidate's recruitment, which shares a name with Republican incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan, days before the general election.

ElectionsLaw EnforcementVoter RightsCampaign Practices
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Why It Matters

The federal investigation and ballot segregation request could affect the certification and legal standing of the Alaska U.S. Senate race, which is pivotal to determining control of the chamber.

Key Facts

  • The U.S. Department of Justice asked a federal judge to order state elections officials to isolate all ballots ranking candidate Daniel J. Sullivan.
  • Federal officials confirmed an ongoing criminal probe regarding the recruitment of candidate Dan J. Sullivan, who shares a name with the Republican incumbent.
  • The DOJ filed a list of proposed questions to compel answers from the Mary Peltola campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
  • President Donald Trump stated he instructed the department to file the case.
  • Federal prosecutors issued dozens of grand jury subpoenas and requests to preserve records.
  • State elections officials distinguished the two candidates on the ballot by listing the incumbent as Dan S. Sullivan and the challenger as Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. with no party affiliation.
  • The Alaska Democratic Party sued state elections officials over allegations that absentee in-person voting sites failed to open as advertised in rural communities.
  • Gov. Mike Dunleavy ordered an investigation into whether any campaign violations took place following media reports.

Who's Mentioned

PersonMichael Heyman“Alaska U.S. Attorney”OrganizationDemocratic Senatorial Campaign Committee“Target of proposed questions in the civil case”PersonMike Dunleavy“Republican Alaska Governor”OrganizationU.S. Department of Justice“Seeking court order and conducting criminal probe”PersonPresident Donald Trump“Said he told the department to file the case”locationCalifornia“State involved in a separate ballot dispute”locationAlaska“State where the election and investigation are taking place”PersonMary Peltola“Democratic former U.S. Representative and Senate candidate”locationAnchorage“City in Alaska where press conference was held”Organization9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals“Rejected DOJ request regarding California ballots”PersonDan J. Sullivan“Senate candidate sharing a name with the incumbent”OrganizationThe Associated Press“Reported on grand jury subpoenas”PersonDan Sullivan“Republican incumbent U.S. Senator”OrganizationAlaska Democratic Party“Sued state elections officials over absentee voting sites”locationJuneau“City where Peltola held a campaign event”PersonE. Bryan Wilson“Alaska Assistant U.S. Attorney”OrganizationThe New York Times“Reported on Peltola campaign's involvement in recruiting candidate”