Full Breakdown
Allegations of Ballot-Stacking in Alaska’s 2026 Senate Race Spark Multiple Investigations
By Drooid · · How we work
In this breakdown
01
Alleged Ballot-Stacking Scheme
A New York Times investigation alleges that operatives linked to Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee recruited Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., a retired schoolteacher, to run against incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan. The effort began in summer 2025 and aimed to create voter confusion by placing two candidates with the same first and last name on Alaska’s ranked-choice ballot. After the story broke, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit to block certification if the incumbent loses, and the Alaska Department of Public Safety opened a criminal probe.
02
Background & Context
Alaska’s ranked-choice system lets voters rank up to five candidates. The presence of two “Dan Sullivan” entries—one the incumbent Republican, the other listed without party affiliation—has been called a “sham” by Republicans. State officials tried to remove Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. from the primary ballot, but the Alaska Supreme Court allowed his candidacy. Ballot-stacking, encouraging third-party candidates to split an opponent’s vote, is not illegal in most jurisdictions.
Visual evidence
Images from the story
03
Timeline
- Summer 2025 – Texts and internal documents show coordination between Peltola staff and DSCC operatives.
- June 2026 – Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. wins 2.5 % of the primary vote and advances.
- July 3 2026 – Photo shows both Dan Sullivan candidates on the ballot.
- Early Oct 2026 – New York Times publishes the report.
- Mid-Oct 2026 – DOJ files a lawsuit to delay certification; Governor Mike Dunleavy orders a criminal investigation.
- Oct 29 2026 – Governor Dunleavy tweets about the investigation.
04
Data & Statistics
- Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. received 2.5 % of the primary vote, enough to appear on the general-election ballot.
- About 58,000 Alaskans had already cast ballots by the time the story broke.
05
Official Statements & Responses
- Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy: “Alaskans have a fundamental right to vote for the candidate they actually intend to support.”
- Department of Justice: Argues voter confusion could affect the outcome and seeks a court order to block certification if the incumbent loses.
06
Criticism & Opposition
- Vice President JD Vance called the conduct “disgraceful” and a “great moral failing,” urging voters to punish Peltola.
- Rep. James Comer, chair of the House Oversight Committee, warned that staff who refuse interviews could face compulsory process.
07
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Legal scholars differ on whether the recruitment constitutes a crime. Don Palmer, a Heritage Foundation fellow, said the disclosed texts are “pretty shocking” and could suggest intent, even if no illegal act is proven. No court has ruled on the DOJ lawsuit, and the scope of the criminal probe remains unclear.
08
Verbatim Quotes
- “Alaskans have a fundamental right to vote for the candidate they actually intend to support.” — Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy
- “This is Voter Fraud at the Highest Level, and the Dumocrat Candidate, who was involved in the scheme, Mary Peltola, should be removed from the Ballot and prosecuted,” — Donald Trump
- “I have to caveat all of this and say, I assume that this would be assuming that the facts in that article are true,” — Scott Kendall, elections attorney
09
What’s Next
The criminal investigation and DOJ lawsuit are expected to continue through the early-November general election. State officials will decide whether Alaska election law was violated, and the federal case may influence certification of the Senate seat. Both campaigns say they will let “the rule of law” guide the final outcome.