Judge rejects Trump bid to block possible Alaska defeat

A US federal judge has dismissed an attempt by President Donald Trump’s administration to block certification of Alaska’s Senate election result if Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan loses Tuesday’s vote.

Judge Sharon Gleason rejected the Justice Department’s lawsuit on Sunday, saying the proposed intervention would be unworkable and could confuse voters or discourage them from voting.

The administration had argued that a second candidate also named Dan Sullivan was drawing votes away from the Republican senator.

Trump and the lawsuit alleged that Democratic candidate Mary Peltola recruited the additional candidate to confuse voters who intended to support the incumbent. Peltola has denied deliberately recruiting him.

The Justice Department sought to halt certification if Peltola won and force an investigation into how many people who voted for the second Sullivan had intended to choose the Republican senator.

Gleason warned that such an intervention “would likely result in voter ‘confusion and consequent incentive to remain away from the polls.’”

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

Trump has said he personally ordered the legal action.

The case has heightened concerns that Republicans could challenge defeats in the midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress.

Alaska is among the states where Democrats hope to capture Republican-held seats in their bid to secure a Senate majority.