Federal district Judge Sharon Gleason ruled against the Trump administration's lawsuit seeking to block certification of Alaska Senate election results. The administration had argued that certification should be halted to prevent voter confusion caused by two candidates with similar names on the ballot: Dan J. Sullivan and Dan S. Sullivan, the incumbent GOP senator.
Judge Gleason dismissed the case on standing grounds, finding the Trump administration lacked standing to bring the suit. The court determined the administration failed to meet the "redressability" requirement. The requested remedy of blocking certification and conducting a federal investigation would not actually address voter confusion and could not do so while maintaining ballot secrecy.
Judge Gleason stated that federal court-ordered election rule changes on the eve of an election can create voter confusion and undermine confidence in electoral integrity. The court noted the administration requested a court order preventing state certification under certain circumstances, ordering ballot segregation, and permitting federal investigation into voter intent. These actions would intrude on state powers over election administration.
The ruling also found substantive problems with the Trump position. No federal law gives the administration power to block certification based on voter confusion, according to the decision.
Judge Gleason's decision may be appealed.