Judge tosses Trump's attempt to block Alaska Senate results if GOP incumbent loses
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit by the Trump administration that sought to block the certification of Alaska's Senate election results if the Republican incumbent lost. The judge ruled that the federal government lacked the legal standing to bring the suit, which was prompted by concerns over a 'spoiler' candidate with a similar name.
Why it matters
This ruling addresses the limits of federal intervention in state-run election certification processes.
A federal judge has thrown out the Trump administration's highly unusual attempt to block the certification of results from a key U.S. Senate race in Alaska if the Republican incumbent loses.
In a ruling released Sunday, U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason found the federal government does not have the ability to bring this lawsuit.
Justice Department attorneys — who had cited the preamble of the National Voter Registration Act in their case— are expected to appeal the ruling by Gleason, a nominee of former President Barack Obama.
President Trump said he ordered this lawsuit to be filed because out of the four Senate candidates on Alaska's ballot , two have similar names — Sen. Dan Sullivan, the Republican incumbent, and Daniel Sullivan Jr., who is not affiliated with a political party.
Headlinne story · 5 newsrooms
Federal Judge Throws Out Justice Department Lawsuit Over Alaska Senate Ballot
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Also covering this story
5 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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Trump administration’s bid to block election certification in Alaska thrown out by judge
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