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DOJ faces ‘heavy lift’ in Alaska election appeal as separate criminal probe continues
The Justice Department’s attempt to overturn the dismissal of its Alaska Senate election lawsuit faces a tight deadline, with voting due to end on Tuesday. Legal experts say that even if the appeal succeeds, the government would still need a court order to change how the election proceeds; a failed civil case would not necessarily end a separate criminal investigation.
Judge Sharon Gleason dismissed the suit on standing grounds, finding that the government had not shown how its proposed remedy could address possible voter confusion while preserving ballot secrecy. The dispute concerns two candidates named Dan Sullivan on the ballot. Experts said the Ninth Circuit could hear the appeal, and the Justice Department might seek emergency Supreme Court review if time is short; a reversal alone would not alter the election result.
In short
- DOJ faces a steep deadline to revive its Alaska election lawsuit.
- The dismissal concerned standing and possible voter confusion.
- The separate criminal investigation may continue.
Explained simply
The dispute centres on an Alaska Senate ballot that lists two candidates named Dan Sullivan. The Justice Department brought a civil lawsuit seeking changes to how the election is handled, but a judge dismissed it because the government had not shown that its proposed solution would resolve possible voter confusion while keeping ballots secret.
The Justice Department can appeal the dismissal, but winning an appeal would not by itself change how people vote or affect the result; a court would need to issue a further order. Separately, the department is conducting a criminal investigation, which can continue even if the civil lawsuit fails.
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