Alleged Ballot-Stacking Scheme Fuels Legal Battles in Alaska’s 2026 Senate Race

Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola is accused of coordinating a plan to recruit a “spoiler” candidate, Dan J. Sullivan, a retired schoolteacher from Petersburg, to run against incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan. The strategy—identified in a *New York Times* investigation—sought to exploit the similarity of the two names on Alaska’s ranked-choice ballot, potentially siphoning votes from the incumbent. The allegation has triggered a DOJ criminal probe, a civil lawsuit to block certification, and a state inquiry ordered by Governor Mike Dunleavy. Peltola denies any knowledge.

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Alaska’s non-partisan primary advances the top four finishers to a general election where voters rank candidates. In August 2025, the Division of Elections attempted to disqualify Dan J. Sullivan, arguing his candidacy was designed to mislead voters; the Alaska Supreme Court allowed him to remain on the ballot. The *Times* report, based on texts, interviews and internal documents, says senior aides at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Peltola’s staff compiled a list of Alaskans named Dan Sullivan and recruited at least one to run.

The Guardian

• Dan J. Sullivan received 2.5 % of the primary vote, largely from Peltola supporters.

CNN

• A *New York Times/Siena* poll a month before the election showed Peltola leading the incumbent by 7 points.

CNN

• The Cook Political Report classifies the race as a toss-up, noting the Senate’s narrow Republican majority could hinge on Alaska.

Fox News (website)

• The DOJ’s civil complaint seeks to preserve all ballots ranking Dan J. Sullivan for a “voter-confusion” investigation.

The Guardian

Control of the U.S. Senate rests on a slim margin; the Alaska contest is among the few pivotal races. If the two Dan Sullivans are found to have altered the result, the DOJ suit could prevent certification, delaying the winner’s seating and affecting the balance of power in January 2027. The case also raises questions about ranked-choice voting and “ballot-stacking” tactics.

CNBC

• Michael Heyman, U.S. Attorney for Alaska, said the DOJ is “taking that extremely seriously” and that the lawsuit is “focused on preserving the ballots.”

The Guardian

Republican leaders have called the scheme electoral fraud. Sen. Tim Scott and Sen. Ted Cruz posted that the “real Dan Sullivan” should win and labeled Peltola’s tactics “dirty tricks.” House Oversight Chair James Comer warned non-cooperation with subpoenas could lead to compulsory process.

The Hill

• Peltola’s denial contrasts with testimony from former campaign manager Elisa Rios, who told the *Times* that Peltola was “definitely aware.”

New York Times

• The DOJ’s suit seeks to block certification but has not identified specific criminal statutes.

CNBC

• Although the Alaska Supreme Court ruled the challenger eligible, officials argue the candidacy was not a “good-faith” run, leaving the legal standard for “ballot-stacking” unsettled.

CNBC

Federal judges have ordered the DOJ to file a response to dismissal motions before Election Day. The parties—state election officials, the Peltola campaign, the DSCC, the League of Women Voters of Alaska and Common Cause—have a short window to reply. The legal battle will continue through the November election, with the ultimate impact on Senate control pending court rulings.

CNBC