Judge Blocks Trump Administration's Alaska Election Challenge

WASHINGTON, Nov 2 (Bernama-dpa) -- A federal judge in Alaska has rejected an attempt by US President Donald Trump's administration to intervene in the state's midterm election, just days before voters head to the polls, reported German news agency (dpa).

The court granted motions to dismiss the Justice Department's lawsuit and also rejected an amended complaint, according to Sunday's ruling.

Unlike most US states, Alaska allows up to four candidates to advance to the general election, regardless of party affiliation.

The unusual case centres on two Senate candidates with the same surname, Sullivan, in a race that could help determine control of the Senate in Washington.

Last month, the Trump administration filed a preemptive lawsuit seeking to prevent certification of the results under certain circumstances if incumbent Republican Senator Dan S Sullivan loses Tuesday's election.

The Republican incumbent faces a strong challenge from Democrat Mary Peltola. But there's another candidate on the ballot, too: political newcomer Dan J Sullivan.

The Trump administration and Alaska Republicans allege that Dan J Sullivan is running a sham candidacy at the behest of Democrats that is designed to confuse voters and help Peltola win the seat.

They argue that voters could mistakenly choose the wrong Sullivan and sought to block certification if the Republican incumbent loses by fewer votes than those received by Dan J Sullivan.

The court, however, said the administration had failed to explain how it was possible to determine whether voters had confused the two candidates without violating ballot secrecy. Put another way, there would be no reliable way to establish whether votes for Dan J Sullivan had actually been intended for Senator Dan S Sullivan.

"The relief demanded is inappropriate and not even possible given Alaskan voters' vital right to ballot secrecy," US District Judge Sharon Gleason wrote in her ruling.

--BERNAMA-dpa