Attorney General Todd Blanche said Saturday that the Justice Department’s Alaska lawsuit does not seek to stop certification of the state’s Senate election. The department’s complaint asks a federal court to block Alaska from certifying the result in one scenario.
Blanche posted on X Saturday: “The Department of Justice does not seek to stop any ballot from being cast or to stop the certification of Alaska’s election. This litigation seeks to ensure that after Alaskans cast their ballots, they are preserved in a manner so that only Alaska’s governing officials have the information necessary to make a determination as to whether Alaskan voters were confused or mislead [sic]. The lawsuit was written by Justice Department attorneys and the Department did not coordinate with any campaign or candidate, but rather relied solely on federal law.”
The Department of Justice does not seek to stop any ballot from being cast or to stop the certification of Alaska’s election. This litigation seeks to ensure that after Alaskans cast their ballots, they are preserved in a manner so that only Alaska’s governing officials have the information necessary to make a determination as to whether Alaskan voters were confused or mislead.
The lawsuit was written by Justice Department attorneys and the Department did not coordinate with any campaign or candidate, but rather relied solely on federal law.
— Attorney General Todd Blanche (@AGToddBlanche) October 24, 2026
President Trump said Friday of the suit: “I’m the one that said do it.”
Trump on the Alaska election lawsuit: “I’m the one that said ‘do it’” https://t.co/u9HoM4Ka21
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 23, 2026
The complaint says that if Alaska certifies results “tainted by the inclusion on the ballot of Daniel J. Sullivan,” the state “will fail in its obligation to protect the integrity of its election,” CBS News reported.
The DOJ asks the court to block certification if incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) loses by fewer votes than retired teacher Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. receives, “pending an investigation,” Newsweek reported.
Democracy Docket wrote that the suit “does aim to stop certification, even if temporarily.” It also noted that the complaint says nothing about requiring officials to preserve ballots.
Election law professor Rick Hasen of UCLA has written that the suit “won’t go anywhere.”
Democratic nominee Mary Peltola called the suit “a very desperate attempt to cling to power,” The Hill reported. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) said Friday the department “should never have filed” it.
[NOTE: Blanche told reporters Thursday, before the suit was filed: “It is not DOJ’s intention to, and it’s never our intention to, improperly interfere with elections or the state certification process.” CNN notes that in Alaska’s ranked-choice voting, a voter who is confused could rank both Sullivans and the vote would very likely count for the senator.]