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Judge dismisses Trump administration's lawsuit
November 2, 2026
BBC reports that Judge dismisses Trump administration's lawsuit over two Dan Sullivans in Alaska election.
BBC reports that in the last weekend before the pivotal midterm elections, US President Donald Trump has made a final pitch to voters in hopes of keeping Republicans in control of Congress. Why it matters: The ruling shuts down an extraordinary attempt to delay a potential Democratic victory in a race that could determine control of the Senate, Axios reports. In the last week, Peltola’s campaign has faced scrutiny after The New York Times reported the campaign and other Democrats recruited a candidate — Dan J. Sullivan — to run for the Senate with the same name as the incumbent senator, NBC News reports.
BBC reports that Judge dismisses Trump administration's lawsuit over two Dan Sullivans in Alaska election. In Alaska, US judge dismisses Trump election lawsuit, Reuters reports. The Democratic candidate, former Rep. Mary Peltola, has denied any involvement, NPR reports. According to Reuters, Peltola's campaign said it had "no involvement with either Sullivan campaign.”
NBC News reports that in her ruling, US District Judge Sharon Gleason voiced concerns about voters’ right to a secret ballot.
According to NPR, Pels said, "Alaskan voters deserve a fair election, not to be misled in an attempt to rig outcomes". According to NBC News, Gleason said, “The absence of any explanation from the United States as to how its requested relief could redress its alleged injury while simultaneously maintaining the secrecy of the ballot is telling”.
BBC reports that in the last weekend before the pivotal midterm elections, US President Donald Trump has made a final pitch to voters in hopes of keeping Republicans in control of Congress. Why it matters: The ruling shuts down an extraordinary attempt to delay a potential Democratic victory in a race that could determine control of the Senate, Axios reports. In the last week, Peltola’s campaign has faced scrutiny after The New York Times reported the campaign and other Democrats recruited a candidate — Dan J. Sullivan — to run for the Senate with the same name as the incumbent senator, NBC News reports. NBC News reports that citing potential voter confusion, the Trump administration sought to separate and preserve ballots with votes for Dan J. Sullivan, arguing that if the incumbent loses, it may be because people voted for the other Sullivan by mistake. The closely watched race between the two frontrunners, Sen. Sullivan and Democrat Mary Peltola, could help determine control of the chamber, Axios reports. On October 31, the Republican-led state government in Alaska implored a federal judge to prevent that effort in a court filing, NBC News reports. The DOJ's last-minute bid came less than two weeks before Election Day, as early voting had already begun in the state, Axios reports. According to Reuters, Lis Frost said, “The right-wing fringe outside groups are not going to have to do that this year because the DOJ is clearly standing ready and willing to do it”.
According to NBC News, Gleason said, “The absence of any explanation from the United States as to how its requested relief could redress its alleged injury while simultaneously maintaining the secrecy of the ballot is telling”.
Gleason
Still developing
NBC News reports that citing potential voter confusion, the Trump administration sought to separate and preserve ballots with votes for Dan J. Sullivan, arguing that if the incumbent loses, it may be because people voted for the other Sullivan by mistake. Why it matters: The ruling shuts down an extraordinary attempt to delay a potential Democratic victory in a race that could determine control of the Senate, Axios reports.
How settled the reporting is
Sources
- BBC — Trump makes final campaign push in final weekend before election
- NBC News — Federal judge dismisses Trump attempt to intervene in Alaska Senate race
- NPR — Judge tosses Trump's attempt to block Alaska Senate results if GOP incumbent loses - NPR
- Axios — DOJ's Alaska ballot-confusion suit dismissed by judge
- The Economist — Forget Michigan. A disaster in Alaska could cost Democrats the Senate
- Financial Times — Donald Trump makes final pitch to restive voters in US midterms campaign
Toggle read the full reports of 6 of the 11 outlets counted on this event. The other 5 are counted from their headlines and opening sentences.