Story perspectives

Supreme Court Clears Sullivan for Aug. 18 Ballot, Sets Design Deadline

6/30/2026

Summary

Story summary

Supreme Court affirmed Dan J. Sullivan on the Aug. 18 ballot and ordered Division to decide listing.
The court rejected the Division’s “good-faith” test as lacking constitutional, statutory or regulatory basis.
It set a Tuesday noon deadline for a ballot design using middle initials to differentiate the candidates.
Dan J. Sullivan announced he will form a Federal Election Commission (FEC)-registered “Sullivan for Senate” committee to fund his campaign and fees.

History

Historical Context

In the 2000 presidential contest, Florida’s butterfly ballot in Palm Beach County produced roughly 3,000 miscast votes and helped deliver George W. Bush a 537-vote statewide win. The Florida Supreme Court, U.S. Election Assistance Commission, and county officials later cited the design flaw. Today the U.S. Supreme Court’s order on Dan J. Sullivan’s ballot design echoes that precedent, demanding clear candidate identifiers.

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Story summary

Supreme Court affirmed Dan J. Sullivan on the Aug. 18 ballot and ordered Division to decide listing.
The court rejected the Division’s “good-faith” test as lacking constitutional, statutory or regulatory basis.
It set a Tuesday noon deadline for a ballot design using middle initials to differentiate the candidates.
Dan J. Sullivan announced he will form a Federal Election Commission (FEC)-registered “Sullivan for Senate” committee to fund his campaign and fees.

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