Alaska officials ask federal judge to dismiss Trump-ordered Senate election lawsuit

Alaska's election officials have asked a federal judge to throw out a Justice Department suit aimed at blocking the state's U. S. Senate results if Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan loses, saying it has "no legal basis." President Donald Trump has said he personally told the department to bring the case, which was filed eleven days before the general election, while voting was already underway, according to MS NOW.

The department contends that a second candidate, Dan J. Sullivan, entered the race to confuse supporters of the senator and siphon votes toward Democrat Mary Peltola. State officials respond that the ballot was designed to tell the two men apart, listing the senator as a registered Republican and an incumbent and giving the other candidate no party label. They add that Washington has no authority to step into state elections and should have joined earlier litigation if it wanted him removed. Alaska's highest court had already let him stay on the ballot. In the primary, he drew 2. 5% of the vote.

Judge Sharon Gleason sped up the schedule, which could allow a ruling Thursday. Attorney General Todd Blanche says the department is not trying to halt ballots or certification. Sen.

Summarized by PolitiKool from MS NOW’s reporting. Read the full story at MS NOW →