Two candidates, one name, one ballot

Alaska's Senate race features two Republican candidates both named Dan Sullivan. Sen. Dan Sullivan is the incumbent. Daniel J. Sullivan is a retired teacher. Both appear on the ballot.

How the second Sullivan got on the ballot

Both Sullivans filed to run as Republicans before Alaska's June first deadline.The state's Division of Elections Director Carol Beecher told Daniel J.Sullivan he could not run because he did not file in good faith.

Courts ruled the second Sullivan could run

Daniel J. Sullivan appealed to Alaska Superior Court and won. The court found no state statute requiring candidates to file in good faith or addressing motive for running. The state Supreme Court affirmed this ruling.

Trump administration sues to halt certification

On October twenty-second, the Trump administration filed a lawsuit seeking to halt certification if the incumbent loses, alleging voter confusion. This pre-emptive lawsuit is unusual, though ballot stacking schemes by both parties are common.

Federal judge dismisses Trump's lawsuit

On November first, U.S. District Court Judge Sharon L. Gleason dismissed the lawsuit. She wrote that segregating ballots cast for Daniel J. Sullivan would violate Alaskans' right to a secret ballot.

“Such late-breaking changes to the election rules are strongly disfavored.”

Justice Department plans to appeal

The Trump administration's lawsuit was dismissed, but the Justice Department plans to appeal the decision. The case continues as Election Day approaches.

Criminal investigations launched

Following a New York Times article alleging Democrats recruited the second Sullivan to sow confusion, Republican Gov.Mike Dunleavy ordered an investigation.Alaska U.S.

Election lawyer: troubling but not illegal

Scott Kendall, an Alaska election lawyer, told PolitiFact that what the New York Times describes is troubling but not proof of a crime under Alaska law. Democrats have denied the allegations.

“It's unsavory, it's gross, but it's not illegal under any Alaska law that I'm aware of.”

Ranked choice voting may protect the race

Alaska uses ranked choice voting, where voters rank candidates by preference.If no candidate wins over fifty percent of first choices, the lowest-ranked candidate is eliminated and votes are reallocated.This system makes spoiler tactics less effective.

Sullivan's campaign instructs voters on ranking

Sen.Sullivan's radio ad instructs voters to put Dan S.Sullivan in the number one spot, and if he is not first choice, rank him second.The ad says don't rank Mary, referring to Democrat Mary Peltola.

“Put Dan. S. Sullivan, in that number one spot.”

Experts say second Sullivan unlikely to decide race

Russell Luke, assistant professor of political science at University of Alaska Fairbanks, said it is highly unlikely that the existence of two Dan Sullivans will be the decisive factor.

Senate control may hinge on Alaska

The Alaska Senate seat could determine control of the Senate. The election result may not be known until fifteen days after the election when final absentee ballot counts and ranked choice tabulations are completed.

Incumbent pledges to accept results

Sen. Dan Sullivan said during a CNN interview that he will accept the election results regardless of the outcome. Voters will decide the race on November third.