The Justice Department filed suit Thursday to stop Alaska from certifying its Senate race if Sen. Dan Sullivan loses. It cites possible voter confusion from a second candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan.
Why it matters: Democrats need to net four seats to win the Senate, and Alaska is a target. The suit asks a court to reexamine results after voters cast ballots.
Where they split: The dispute is whether the suit protects an election from a deceptive candidacy or uses federal power to override a state's count.
Center coverage, 20 sources: The center treats it as an extraordinary legal move with doubtful merit in a race that could decide the Senate.
Left coverage, 25 sources: The left sees the suit as the latest Justice Department effort to insert itself into elections and possibly block a Democratic win.
Right coverage, 19 sources: The right centers the administration's claim that a same-name candidate entered the race to divert votes from the incumbent.
What’s next: A federal court in Alaska will consider the request. Notre Dame law professor Derek Muller said a court is unlikely to accept the theory.
