Alleged Ballot-Stacking in Alaska’s 2026 Senate Race Raises Legal and Political Firestorm

In summer 2025, staff for Democratic Senate hopeful Mary Peltola were instructed to compile a list of Alaskans named Dan Sullivan. The effort produced retired teacher Dan J. Sullivan, who announced a Senate bid in spring 2026. Both Dan S. Sullivan (the two-term Republican incumbent) and Dan J. Sullivan appear on the November 3 ballot, prompting lawsuits, a criminal probe, and a federal suit seeking to block certification if the incumbent loses.

ABC News AustraliaNew York TimesPeltola campaign under fire after report that it recruited second Dan Sullivan for Alaska Senate race KTVT - Dallas - Fort Worth NewsKTVT - Dallas - Fort Worth NewsThe GuardianLA Times

Alaska’s 2020-adopted ranked-choice voting system requires a 10-day (domestic) or 15-day (overseas) mail-ballot return window and a multi-round tabulation that can extend results by two weeks. The state’s “four-person” ballot format makes name similarity a potent tactic. A New York Times report said Peltola’s campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee discussed a “ballot composition project” in summer 2025 to recruit a namesake spoiler.

CNN

• Primary results: Peltola 49.5 % (first), incumbent Dan S. Sullivan 41.4 % (second), Dan J. Sullivan 2.5 % (third), Democrat David Leslie 1.1 % (fourth).

Peltola campaign under fire after report that it recruited second Dan Sullivan for Alaska Senate race

• Alaska’s mail-ballot deadline: 10 days for U.S. mail, 15 days for overseas ballots.

CNN

• General election ballot: Dan S. Sullivan (R), Dan J. Sullivan (independent), Gerald Heikes (R), Mary Peltola (D).

Peltola campaign under fire after report that it recruited second Dan Sullivan for Alaska Senate race

Alaska Attorney General Michael Heyman confirmed a criminal and civil investigation, calling the Times report “extremely serious.” The Department of Justice filed an amended civil complaint seeking to block certification if the incumbent loses by a margin attributable to voter confusion; a federal judge ordered the DOJ to file a response by 1 p.m. Alaska Time.

The Guardian

The campaign labeled the story a “distraction” and emphasized Peltola’s focus on lowering costs and “putting Alaska first.”

The Guardian

Republican Governor Mike Dunleavy called the alleged scheme “disturbing new evidence” and announced a state investigation. Senator Dan S. Sullivan’s spokesperson Nate Adams accused Peltola of “gaslighting Alaskans” and colluding with the DSCC. President Donald Trump called the effort “election fraud,” urging removal of both Sullivans from the ballot.

Peltola campaign under fire after report that it recruited second Dan Sullivan for Alaska Senate race

CBS News observed that Dan J. Sullivan’s hometown of Petersburg showed no campaign activity: no flyers, mailers, or signs since his announcement. Local resident Andrew Worhatch called the run “not a serious candidacy,” while supporter Keely Hankins urged voters to read the ballot carefully.

KTVT - Dallas - Fort Worth News

The Times’ account relies on interviews with former Peltola aide Elisa Rios, who later requested a retraction, leaving uncertainty about campaign coordination. Peltola’s team says they were unaware of the second Sullivan’s candidacy; Republican officials cite text messages and internal documents as evidence of a coordinated “spoil-candidate” effort. No charges have been filed, and the DOJ’s standing to block certification remains contested.

NBC News

The DOJ’s lawsuit requires a response by 1 p.m. Alaska Time on the filing day; Judge Sharon Gleason may rule on dismissal motions before Election Day. If the incumbent loses, the DOJ seeks a preliminary injunction to prevent Alaska from certifying the result. State courts have upheld Dan J. Sullivan’s ballot eligibility, and the Alaska Supreme Court’s order stands. The federal suit will determine whether certification proceeds as scheduled or faces further delay.

CNBC