Alaska Judge Fast-Tracks Dismissal Motions in DOJ Lawsuit Over Second Sullivan Candidacy

According to CNBC, a federal judge in Alaska kept on a fast track new motions to dismiss the U.S. Department of Justice’s lawsuit over certification of the state’s Senate election. Judge Sharon Gleason ordered the department to respond by 1 p.m. Alaska time Friday to motions filed hours after it amended its complaint Thursday. State election officials, Democratic nominee Mary Peltola’s campaign and other groups have until noon Saturday to reply. The lawsuit seeks to delay certification if incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan loses by a margin that could be attributable to voter confusion over another candidate named Dan Sullivan on the ballot. Gleason could rule on the dismissal motions before Tuesday, Election Day. The race could determine which party holds the Senate majority in January; Republicans currently have 53 of the chamber’s 100 seats.