Democrats and voting-rights groups have sought to intervene in a federal lawsuit initiated by the Justice Department, aimed at halting Alaska from certifying its U.S. Senate election results should Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan lose. The requests to join the case come from Alaskans for Mary, the campaign of Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and a coalition including the League of Women Voters of Alaska and Common Cause. These groups argue that the federal government lacks authority to interfere in state election administration, especially as early voting is already underway.

The controversy revolves around two candidates with nearly identical names: incumbent Senator Daniel S. Sullivan and challenger Daniel J. Sullivan. Initially removed from the ballot due to a state Republican Party complaint, Daniel J. Sullivan was ultimately reinstated by state courts, with the Alaska Supreme Court directing clearer distinctions on the ballot between the two candidates. The Justice Department, acting on an order from former President Donald Trump, filed suit on October 22 to prevent certification of the election if the incumbent Sullivan is defeated, alleging an investigation into voter intent regarding ballots selecting Daniel J. Sullivan.

Democratic groups contend the DOJ’s lawsuit threatens to disenfranchise voters by imposing an unprecedented federal intervention into state elections. They assert that the National Voter Registration Act, cited by the DOJ, does not authorize the federal government to determine candidate eligibility or interfere in state ballot design—areas constitutionally reserved to states. Additionally, the groups question whether Alaska officials will vigorously defend the election process given their prior attempt to remove Daniel J. Sullivan from the ballot, which was overturned by courts.

Voting-rights organizations warn that the DOJ’s demand to investigate voter intent introduces serious constitutional risks, such as disenfranchisement and electoral confusion, and lacks any clear method to distinguish voters’ true choices between the candidates. The League of Women Voters of Alaska and Common Cause are also seeking to join as defendants, collectively asking the court to dismiss the lawsuit. The legal battle underscores tensions over federal versus state authority in elections, and the potential consequences for Alaska’s representation and election integrity.