DOJ says refusing to segregate ballots would frustrate federal election law
United States Department of JusticePlaintiff in the Alaska certification suit, through Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward Jr. and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Alaska
In a memorandum supporting its motion for expedited discovery and a preliminary injunction, DOJ argues that refusing to preserve and segregate ballots that may have been affected by the alleged scheme would frustrate federal election-integrity objectives.
“Turning a blind eye to this scheme and refusing to even preserve and segregate ballots that may be impacted would frustrate Congress’s objectives in seeking to protect the integrity of the electoral process.”
Original text
Reporting
Other statements by United States Department of Justice in this case
- DOJ seeks conditional restraint on Alaska Senate certificationEarlier: Defended or excused
Where this statement fits
DOJ challenges Alaska Senate certification over two Sullivans; Murkowski objects
DOJ sued Alaska over the presence of two candidates named Dan Sullivan on the Senate ballot. It seeks to prevent certification under specified conditions involving an incumbent loss and the possible effect of namesake votes. Lisa Murkowski and Mary Peltola criticize the intervention.
Source and context
Original text
About this source
DOJ's memorandum asks for expedited discovery and an order preserving and segregating ballots it says voter confusion may have affected. It states DOJ's arguments, not court findings.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Reporting
About this source
CBS News reports U.S. Attorney Michael Heyman's October 30 news conference confirming a criminal investigation, and DOJ's request to preserve and segregate ballots ranking Daniel J. Sullivan.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
The passage comes in the memorandum's obstacle-preemption argument. Just before it, DOJ says Alaska's election officials know that Daniel J. Sullivan's place on the ballot is the result of a conspiracy to undermine the integrity of the electoral process.
After the quotation
The memorandum next argues that the United States will suffer irreparable harm without precautionary measures. Elsewhere it says the segregation of ballots ranking Daniel J. Sullivan would be a negligible burden because Alaska must already keep ballots for 22 months.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The case concerns DOJ's requested conditional restraint on certification of Alaska's Senate election. In this filing DOJ extends that request, arguing that federal law requires Alaska to preserve and segregate ballots it says voter confusion may have affected.
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More from this case
Read the full caseAlaska's election officials say DOJ's ballot demand is not even possible
State of Alaska
“What’s more, the relief demanded is inappropriate and not even possible given Alaskan voters’ vital right to ballot secrecy.”Read statement
Muller urges investigation while rejecting the amended certification claim
“further investigation is essential to determine whether they should be brought.”Read statement
Peltola's campaign committee and the DSCC say the recruitment allegations do not save DOJ's suit
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
“And nothing in these new allegations changes DOJ’s utter lack of any legal claim, any legal authority to bring this case, or any entitlement to the relief it seeks.”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "DOJ says refusing to segregate ballots would frustrate federal election law". First published: 2026-11-01. Last updated: 2026-11-01. https://disputeindex.com/events/7639-in-a-memorandum-supporting-its-motion-for-expedited