Dan Sullivan vs. Daniel Sullivan: How Alaska’s ranked-choice voting could affect the 2026 Senate race

The Trump administration has sued to stop Alaska from finalizing the November 3, 2026, US Senate election’s result. This is because two candidates with similar names are running in the race: current Sen. Dan Sullivan and Daniel J. Sullivan, according to CBS News.

Why are two candidates named Sullivan on Alaska’s ballot?

Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan is competing for reelection against Democrat Mary Peltola, a former congresswoman, and other candidates. One of them is Daniel J. Sullivan Jr, a retired teacher whose name closely resembles the incumbent senator’s.

Also Read: West Virginia midterm election 2026: Rachel Fetty Anderson, the Democrat challenging Shelley Moore Capito, has just 2.24% of funds compared to her Republican rival


The two candidates appear differently on the ballot. Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. is listed without a party affiliation, while the incumbent appears as “Sullivan, Dan S. (Registered Republican) Incumbent.”

The Alaska Supreme Court ruled in June 2026 that Daniel J. Sullivan could remain on the ballot after state election officials had initially ruled him ineligible over allegations that his candidacy could confuse voters. His lawyers argued that state law did not allow officials to exclude him based on his alleged motives.

What is the DOJ lawsuit asking Alaska to do?

The U.S. Department of Justice filed its lawsuit. It seeks to prevent the state from certifying the Senate election result if the outcome could have been affected by confusion between the two candidates. According to NBC News, the filling said, “For example, some supporters of Senator Sullivan likely will inadvertently vote for Daniel J. Sullivan.”

“To guard against this danger, it is vital that Defendants not certify any election result that may be impacted by voter confusion,” it added.

Also Read: West Virginia midterm elections 2026: Early voting locations, deadlines and poll worker registration

According to Ballotpedia’s October 17, 2026, update, a Data for Progress poll of 694 likely voters showed Mary Peltola (D) leading with 47%, followed by Daniel S. Sullivan (R) at 44%, Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. (No Party Affiliation) at 4%, and Gerald Heikes (R) at 1%.

Election law scholar Derek Muller In an October 23 blog, it said, “Some, in a panic, might react that the Department is trying to deny certification of an election in a state. Of course that’s what the Department is trying to do. But the legal claim is so absurdly thin, there’s essentially no likelihood of success.”

He added, “In short, like many Department letters over the last few years, it is designed to win the press release rather than the litigation. This one simply takes the form of a complaint.”

How does Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system work?

According to the Alaska Division of Elections,

• Everyone receives the same primary ballot, regardless of political affiliation.
• Voters choose one candidate in each race.
• The four candidates with the most votes move on to the general election.
• The primary does not select a political party’s official nominee.
• Candidates from different political affiliations appear in the same race.
• If a race has four or fewer candidates, all advance to the general election.