Story perspectives

Judge Places Dan J. Sullivan Jr. on Alaska Republican Primary

6/27/2026

Summary

Story summary

Superior Court Judge Thomas Matthews ordered Dan J. Sullivan Jr. onto Alaska’s August 18 Republican Senate primary ballot.
Matthews said the Division of Elections barred him because his identical name and party switch would confuse voters, noting using his middle initial would have avoided removal.
The decision arrives as the Senate race, which could decide Senate control, faces a June 30 ballot-printing deadline and may be appealed to the Alaska Supreme Court.

History

Historical Context

After the 2000 presidential contest hinged on Florida’s disputed butterfly ballot and the Supreme Court’s Dec 12, 2000 decision in Bush v. Gore— which settled the race by a 537-vote margin—states enacted voting-reform measures. Echoing that legacy, the Alaska Division of Elections on Aug 18 removed Dan J. Sullivan Jr. from the Republican Senate primary ballot to avoid voter confusion.

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Story summary

Superior Court Judge Thomas Matthews ordered Dan J. Sullivan Jr. onto Alaska’s August 18 Republican Senate primary ballot.
Matthews said the Division of Elections barred him because his identical name and party switch would confuse voters, noting using his middle initial would have avoided removal.
The decision arrives as the Senate race, which could decide Senate control, faces a June 30 ballot-printing deadline and may be appealed to the Alaska Supreme Court.

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