Federal Judge Throws Out Justice Department Lawsuit Over Alaska Senate Ballot

A federal judge on Sunday dismissed a Justice Department lawsuit that sought to block the certification of Alaska's United States Senate race if the Republican incumbent loses.

U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason threw out the case just days before Tuesday's election, ruling that the federal government lacked the authority to bring the lawsuit.

The high-stakes race features Republican incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan facing Democratic former representative Mary Peltola in a contest that could determine control of the Senate.

“Today’s ruling is a victory for democracy and a clear message to Donald Trump and Senate Republicans,” said Devan Barber, executive director of the Democratic Senatorial Committee.

The Trump administration filed the lawsuit after reports that Democratic operatives helped recruit a second candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan to run without party affiliation.

Republicans argued the second candidate was a spoiler designed to confuse voters and siphon votes away from the incumbent senator.

In her ruling, Gleason wrote that the government offered no workable plan to segregate ballots without violating the right of Alaskans to a secret ballot.

“The absence of any explanation from the United States as to how its requested relief could redress its alleged injury while simultaneously maintaining the secrecy of the ballot is telling,” Gleason wrote.

The Justice Department quickly filed a notice of appeal following the ruling, stating that Alaskan voters deserve a fair election.

“Alaskan voters deserve a fair election, not to be misled in an attempt to rig outcomes,” a department spokesperson said in a statement.

Peltola has denied any knowledge of or involvement in the candidate recruitment effort.

Meanwhile, the senator told reporters that he will accept the results of the election regardless of the outcome.