Alaska Ballot Battle: Spoiler Candidate Allowed Despite Iowa-Backed Challenge
The Alaska Supreme Court has ruled that a same-name challenger can run against incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan, despite efforts by the state of Iowa and 13 other states to block what Republicans call a Democrat-backed spoiler candidate. The ruling forces election officials to take unusual steps to distinguish between the two men on the Aug. 18 primary ballot.
How Will Voters Tell The Two Dan Sullivans Apart?
After losing its battle to keep the second Dan Sullivan off the ballot, the Alaska Division of Elections released a sample ballot that takes drastic steps to separate the candidates. The two-term incumbent senator will be listed as Sullivan, Dan S. with a (Registered Republican) Incumbent label.
The challenger, a 70-year-old retired teacher from Petersburg, will be listed as Sullivan, Daniel J. Jr. with no party affiliation. This comes even though the challenger chose to be listed as a Republican and asked for his first name to be listed as Dan, which he says people have always called him.
A review of past sample ballots from the last five general elections shows that candidates for federal office in Alaska have never been labeled as incumbents. State regulations typically call for using middle initials to distinguish between candidates of the same name, but an attorney for the Division of Elections previously argued a middle initial was not sufficient.
Why Did Iowa Join The Fight Against The Challenger?
Iowa joined 13 other states in filing a friend of the court brief supporting the Alaska Division of Elections' attempt to disqualify the challenger. The states stood with election officials to protect the integrity of the ballot against confusing spoiler candidates.
The Alaska Republican Party and the National Republican Senatorial Committee originally complained to the division, alleging that Democrats encouraged the challenger to run specifically to benefit the incumbent senator's top opponent, Democratic former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola. The division argued that the challenger changed his party designation from undeclared to Republican upon declaring his candidacy, despite not affiliating as a Republican in over 40 years of voting in Alaska.
Jeffrey Robinson, an attorney representing the challenger, said his client was buoyed by the decisive victory at the Alaska Supreme Court, but currently has no comment about the ballot naming issue.
Can An Election Official Block A Spoiler Candidate?
Division of Elections Director Carol Beecher, a Republican, initially disqualified the challenger earlier in June. She argued he had not signed up in good faith. However, an Anchorage Superior Court judge ruled late Friday night that the decision to keep him off the ballot was based on a good faith requirement that does not appear in the U.S. Constitution, state statute, or division regulations.
The Alaska Supreme Court upheld that ruling on Monday, leaving it up to the Division of Elections to determine how the challenger shall be listed within the confines of existing ballot design law. Attorneys for the challenger argued that designating the senator as an incumbent provides an electoral advantage not granted under Alaska law, while stripping the challenger of his chosen Republican label violates state statute.
What Happens Next In The Alaska Senate Race?
The state faced a noon deadline on Tuesday, June 30, to print the ballots. The challenger has maintained that he is running because he believes the senator has done a poor job serving Alaskans, rejecting accusations that he is trying to trick voters.
Under Alaska's election laws, all candidates regardless of party affiliation will appear on the same ballot in the primary election. The top four vote getters will advance to the November general election, a system that could allow a spoiler candidate to siphon crucial votes from the incumbent Republican.
Why is there a second Dan Sullivan running for Senate in Alaska?
A 70-year-old retired teacher named Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. from Petersburg signed up to run for the same seat as Senator Dan S. Sullivan. The Alaska Republican Party alleges Democrats recruited the challenger to confuse voters and help Democratic former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola win the race.
Did the courts allow the challenger to use the Republican label?
The Alaska Supreme Court allowed the challenger to remain on the ballot, but the Division of Elections decided to list him with no party affiliation instead of the Republican label he requested. Meanwhile, the incumbent senator will be listed as a Registered Republican.
How does Alaska's primary system work?
Alaska uses an open primary system where all candidates, regardless of party, appear on the same ballot. The top four vote getters advance to the general election, which means multiple candidates from the same party can advance to November.