Democrats, voting-rights groups challenge Trump's bid to block Alaska Senate certification
Lawsuits filed by candidate Mary Peltola and a voters' rights group challenge Trump's preemptive efforts to block a Democratic Senate victory in Alaska.
TL;DR
- Democratic groups and voting-rights advocates want to join a federal lawsuit challenging the Justice Department's effort to stop Alaska from certifying its U.S. Senate election results if the incumbent loses.
- The groups argue that the executive branch lacks legal authority to intervene in state-run elections and is attempting an unprecedented override of state election administration.
- President Trump confirmed he personally ordered the Justice Department to file the lawsuit.
- The lawsuit centers on the near-identical names of incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan and a non-incumbent challenger named Daniel J. Sullivan.
- The Democratic groups and voting-rights advocates seek defendant-intervenor status to file motions to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing it threatens their interests and lacks legal precedent.
- Legal experts and bipartisan lawmakers have expressed concerns about the Justice Department's actions.