From The Conversation · Drew Kurlowski · · 1m 50s
Spoiler Candidates: A History of False Ballots
Alaska's Senate race sparks debate over spoiler candidates and legal challenges.
In brief
Alaska's Senate race sparks debate over spoiler candidates and legal challenges. Alaska's Senate race faces accusations of recruiting a spoiler candidate to siphon votes from incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan, with no legal barriers to prevent such tactics. Originally reported by The Conversation.
Alaska Senate Race Accusations
Alaska's Senate candidate Mary Peltola faces accusations of recruiting a spoiler candidate with a name nearly identical to incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan.
Historical Spoiler Tactics
Spoilers have been used since the 1800s, including false ballots and name similarities to sway votes.
19th-Century Ballot Tricks
In the 1800s, parties printed ballots that could be altered by printers to mislead voters with 'spurious tickets'.
John F. Kennedy's Name Game
Kennedy's opponent in 1946 was a city councilor named Joseph Russo, but Kennedy's aide paid a janitor with the same name to enter the race.
John F. Kennedy's Name Game
A John Francis Kennedy, no relation, was elected as a Democrat to Massachusetts treasurer and receiver-general in 1954.
1978 South Carolina Spoiler
In 1978, an independent candidate held a press conference claiming a Jewish refugee mayor was unfit for office due to religious qualifications.
Unwitting Candidates
In 2010, Michigan officials put Tea Party candidates on ballots without their knowledge, leading to forgery charges.
Alaska's No Barriers
Alaska has no petition requirement for ballot access, allowing candidates like Daniel J. Sullivan to run without party designation.
Legal Challenges
Legal attempts to stop spoilers have failed, with prosecutions focusing on campaign finance crimes rather than ballot placement.
Washington's Unique Law
Washington state makes it a felony to run under a rival's surname if the intent is to confuse voters, but Alaska lacks such laws.
Read Your Ballots
The advice from 1860 to 'watch your tickets on election day' remains relevant for voters to avoid ballot deception.
The key point
Alaska's Senate race faces accusations of recruiting a spoiler candidate to siphon votes from incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan, with no legal barriers to prevent such tactics.
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