Voting groups asked appeals court to dismiss DOJ lawsuit over Alaska Senate race

The League of Women Voters of Alaska and Common Cause filed a brief Monday asking the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to summarily uphold U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason's November 1 ruling that dismissed a Department of Justice lawsuit. The DOJ lawsuit had sought to block certification of the Alaska Senate race if Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan loses to Democrat Mary Peltola. The groups called the Trump administration's appeal 'embarrassing and indefensible' and asked the court to order DOJ attorneys to show cause why they should not be sanctioned for pursuing a frivolous appeal.¹

The Alaska Senate race remained too close to call as of Monday afternoon, with a New York Times analysis suggesting Peltola is likely to win.¹

What this means for the Senate race

A district court dismissed the Justice Department lawsuit on November 1.¹ The advocacy groups are asking the appeals court to uphold that dismissal and consider sanctions against the DOJ attorneys.¹