Peltola asks federal judge to toss Trump-ordered suit over Alaska Senate certification

Democrat Mary Peltola has asked a federal judge in Alaska to dismiss a Justice Department lawsuit that seeks to stop the state from certifying the U.S. Senate result if she defeats Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan on Nov. 3.

Lawyers for Peltola's campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee filed the request late Sunday, calling the suit "wholly baseless" and an improper federal intrusion into election administration, which the Constitution leaves to the states, Reuters reported. The campaign asked U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason to rule this week.

What the government wants

The department sued the Alaska Division of Elections on Oct. 22, according to the Alaska Beacon. It argues that a second candidate, Dan J. Sullivan Jr. of Petersburg, is on the ballot to confuse voters and help Peltola, and that certification should wait for an investigation. The claim rests on the National Voter Registration Act. President Trump said he ordered the suit.

Attorney General Todd Blanche said on CNN that the administration is not trying to take over a state election, Reuters reported. Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., told NBC the department lacks standing, according to Fox News. Several election law scholars told the Beacon and Al Jazeera the argument has little chance of success.

How the ballot works

State officials tried to remove Dan J. Sullivan from the primary ballot in June, but Alaska courts reinstated him. He says he is not working with Peltola. Alaska ranks candidates, so a vote for him with the senator ranked second would move to the senator if he is eliminated.

Source: Alaska Beacon.