Federal Probe Confirmed as Ballot Name Collision Threatens Alaska Senate Outcome

U.S. Attorney Michael Heyman confirmed Friday that a criminal investigation is underway regarding a ballot candidate named Dan J. Sullivan, whose presence alongside Republican incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan could determine control of the Senate. Heyman told reporters the probe has run for several months, but reporting published this week by The New York Times regarding Democratic candidate Mary Peltola's campaign led to a "significant surge of law enforcement assets to Alaska."

The Department of Justice filed court papers Friday seeking to preserve and segregate all ballots ranking Daniel J. Sullivan to determine whether such rankings result from voter confusion. Federal prosecutors also filed a list of questions they intend to compel the Peltola campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee to answer regarding their reported role in recruiting the challenger. This civil action runs alongside the criminal probe. The Justice Department previously filed suit seeking to block certification of the results if incumbent Republican Dan Sullivan loses. State attorneys have requested a court ruling by Monday, stating that delay could "cast a cloud over Alaska's election that is contrary to the public interest."

Federal prosecutors issued dozens of grand jury subpoenas and record preservation requests this week, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke to the Associated Press. Heyman declined to identify potential crimes under review or specific targets. He added, "When credible information comes out, we are committed to pursuing that information to deceive voters and we will act on it. We are acting on it intensely and swiftly."

Peltola denied knowing of any effort to place another candidate on the ballot. "I knew nothing about any other candidate on the ballot except for me and the incumbent," Peltola said Thursday at a Juneau rally. "That is all I have ever known about. I am not interested in tricking voters." Dan J. Sullivan has denied running at Democratic direction, saying in June he had no contact with Peltola's campaign: "Zero, none, zilch."

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican, ordered a state investigation into the matter, stating the reporting "reveals disturbing new evidence of an organized effort to manipulate Alaska's elections by recruiting candidates to deliberately confuse voters and misdirect their votes." State attorneys have argued Alaska election officials already distinguish the two Sullivans on the ballot and noted the state's ranked voting system addresses confusion concerns. President Trump, directing the Justice Department to sue over certification, said Thursday he doubted Peltola could be seated, adding, "It's hard to believe that she could even be allowed to run."

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected an earlier Justice Department request to set aside disputed California ballots mailed to roughly 20,000 people the administration contends may not be U.S. citizens. California officials argued the list is unreliable and likely includes many citizens. The Department of Justice filed the civil litigation last week. State attorneys have asked a court to rule on that suit by Monday.