Judge tosses Trump's attempt to block Alaska Senate results if GOP incumbent loses

NPR and PBS NewsHour report that a federal court in Alaska has rejected a Trump administration suit aimed at stopping the state from certifying its Senate results should Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan lose. Judge Sharon Gleason, an Obama appointee, ruled Sunday. The contest, against Democrat Mary Peltola, is one of a few that could decide Senate control. Trump pushed the case because a retired teacher with a nearly identical name, listed as Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. with no party, is also on the ballot.

Gleason held that the remedy sought was unworkable because many ballots were already cast, and that the government offered no plan for examining them while keeping votes secret. NPR adds that she found the Justice Department lacked the ability to sue under the National Voter Registration Act's preamble. The department said it will appeal, and PBS NewsHour reports it argued the ruling rested on procedure.

PBS NewsHour adds that Sullivan told CNN he expects to lose votes to "trickery" and doubts Peltola's denial of involvement. NPR notes that Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy has ordered an investigation, and that Sullivan said he would accept the outcome.

Summarized by PolitiKool from NPR and PBS NewsHour’s reporting. Read the full story at NPR → Also at PBS NewsHour →