DOJ Subpoenas Democrats in Alaska Senate Name Confusion Probe

The Department of Justice began issuing new subpoenas on Wednesday as it expanded its criminal investigation into Alaska’s Senate race. The move follows reports linking several Democratic officials to an effort to place Daniel J. Sullivan, a retired teacher, on the state’s ballot. No candidates or officials have been charged with a crime.

The confusion stems from the presence of two men with the same name on the ballot: incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan and Daniel J. Sullivan. A New York Times report published Wednesday detailed internal emails and texts regarding the recruitment of the second Sullivan. The Justice Department used those communications to justify the new subpoenas and an amendment to a pending civil lawsuit.

The amended civil suit, filed by the Trump administration last week, now labels the situation a conspiracy to undermine the integrity of the electoral process. The government seeks to block the certification of election results if Sen. Sullivan loses due to voter confusion. The filing argues that the Supremacy Clause requires federal intervention to enforce the National Voter Registration Act.

A Justice Department official briefed reporters on Thursday about the investigative steps taken in the previous 24 hours. The official noted a sharp rise in activity following the New York Times article. Investigators are issuing preservation requests to tech companies and seeking search warrants for electronic communications. Grand jury subpoenas are also being used to secure documents and testimony.

The department identified two federal civil rights statutes as potential bases for prosecution. Section 241 covers conspiracies to interfere with voting rights, while Section 242 addresses willful deprivation of rights under color of law. Officials are examining whether a coordinated effort tricked voters into selecting the wrong candidate. The agency cited the federal prosecution of Douglass Mackey in 2016 as a comparable case, though his conviction was overturned in 2025.

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy has ordered the Department of Public Safety to review the recruitment effort for state law violations. His administration will determine if criminal or civil action is merited. State election officials previously challenged Daniel J. Sullivan’s candidacy but ultimately allowed him to remain on the ballot.

President Trump has called for Peltola and Daniel J. Sullivan to be removed from the ballot. He told reporters last week that he instructed his team to act on the issue. The Justice Department acknowledged it has not received confirmed reports of voters mistakenly casting ballots for the wrong Dan Sullivan, though officials said it is difficult to determine exact numbers.