Federal judge dismisses Trump attempt to interfere in Alaska Senate race

A federal judge in Alaska on Sunday dismissed the Trump administration’s lawsuit seeking to separate and preserve certain ballots in the state’s upcoming Senate election, where GOP Sen. Dan Sullivan faces Democrat Mary Peltola. In the last week, Peltola’s campaign has faced scrutiny after The New York Times reported the campaign and other Democrats recruited a candidate — Dan J. Sullivan — to run for the Senate with the same name as the incumbent senator. Citing potential voter confusion, the Trump administration sought to separate and preserve ballots with votes for Dan J. Sullivan, arguing that if the incumbent loses, it may be because people voted for the other Sullivan by mistake. In her ruling, U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason voiced concerns about voters’ right to a secret ballot.