DOJ Appeals Alaska Senate Certification Ruling 2 Days Before Vote as 'Decoy Dan' Probe Continues
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Nov 1
DOJ Appeals Alaska Senate Certification Ruling 2 Days Before Vote as 'Decoy Dan' Probe Continues
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Nov 1
Summary
A federal judge on Sunday threw out the Justice Department’s bid to delay or block certification of Alaska’s Senate race, and the DOJ immediately appealed to the 9th Circuit.
Judge Sharon Gleason said the government had not shown how an investigation could determine voter intent without violating ballot secrecy, and ruled the requested relief would intrude on Alaska’s authority to run elections.
The case centers on Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan and challenger Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., whom the DOJ says may have entered the race to confuse voters under the so-called 'Decoy Dan' scheme.
Mary Peltola has denied involvement after reports that people tied to her campaign helped recruit Sullivan Jr., while Sullivan Jr. also denied coordinating with her campaign.
Tuesday’s ranked-choice election could help decide Senate control, and Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy has suggested he may not certify a Peltola win.