Alaska Senate Race: Ballot-Stacking Allegations Prompt Federal and State Investigations

A New York Times report in late October 2026 alleged that Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola and staff of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee coordinated a months-long effort to recruit a second candidate, Daniel J. Sullivan, a retired teacher from Petersburg, to run against incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan. Federal prosecutors opened civil and criminal investigations and filed a lawsuit seeking to block certification of Alaska’s Senate election if the incumbent loses by a margin that could be attributed to voter confusion. Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy ordered the state Department of Public Safety to investigate possible state-law violations.

CNBCPoliticoSimultaneous civil and criminal investigations launched over Alaska Dem ballot-stacking allegations BloombergBBC NewsDOJ seeks to isolate ballots in Alaska Senate race amid investigation WGHP - Fox8Alaska governor floats radical new threat in response to ballot-stacking allegations Dunleavy orders state criminal investigation into Peltola campaign ballot-stacking allegations

“Ballot-stacking” describes encouraging fringe or spoiler candidates to dilute an opponent’s vote share. The tactic is legal in most jurisdictions, including Alaska, and has been used by both parties. Alaska’s ranked-choice voting allows voters to rank up to four candidates; if no one receives a majority, the lowest-ranked candidate is eliminated and votes are re-allocated. Critics say identical names can still mislead voters.

CNBC

• July 3, 2026 – Daniel J. Sullivan spoke with a reporter in Petersburg about his candidacy.

DOJ seeks to isolate ballots in Alaska Senate race amid investigation

• Late October 2026 – The New York Times published the ballot-stacking investigation.

The Guardian

• Oct. 29, 2026 – The Justice Department issued subpoenas related to the criminal probe.

KTVT - Dallas - Fort Worth News

• Early Nov 2026 – Election Day; a federal judge set a deadline for the DOJ to file a response to motions to dismiss the lawsuit before the election.

CNBC

Governor Mike Dunleavy said Alaskans have “a fundamental right to vote for the candidate they actually intend to support” and directed the Department of Public Safety to determine whether the scheme violated state law.

Dunleavy orders state criminal investigation into Peltola campaign ballot-stacking allegations

Republican leaders have framed the alleged scheme as fraudulent and have signaled a willingness to challenge the election’s legitimacy if the incumbent loses.

New York Times

Peltola’s campaign and the DSCC deny any involvement with Daniel J. Sullivan. The Times report cites internal texts, emails, and interviews with twelve sources indicating coordinated recruitment. Daniel J. Sullivan also denies recruitment by Democrats.

Comer Plans to Grill Democrats Accused of Alaska Ballot-Stacking Scheme

• “I am therefore directing the Department of Public Safety to investigate whether this scheme violated Alaska's laws and whether criminal charges or civil action are warranted,” — Mike Dunleavy.

CNBC

The federal lawsuit remains pending; the judge’s ruling on the motions to dismiss will determine whether the DOJ’s request to isolate ballots proceeds. State investigators continue interviewing witnesses, and the Justice Department may issue additional subpoenas. With Election Day imminent, the outcomes of both the criminal probe and the civil suit could affect Alaska’s Senate race and the Senate’s overall balance of power.

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