One Dan Sullivan Kicked Off the Alaska Senate Ballot

Alaska’s director of elections determined on Monday that Dan J. Sullivan must be removed from the ballot in the Senate race. This decision can be appealed in state court.

The decision leaves only one Dan Sullivan on the ballot, Dan S. Sullivan, the incumbent Republican senator. Dan J. Sullivan, who shares the same first and last name, was ruled ineligible to run.

Republicans in Alaska had claimed that Democrats aimed to confuse voters by supporting Dan J. Sullivan, a former teacher. This situation could have led to votes being siphoned from the incumbent, possibly aiding Democratic candidate Mary Peltola. Both Ms. Peltola and Dan J. Sullivan have denied any coordinated efforts; Dan J. Sullivan stated his bid was genuine.

State Republicans, responsible for election oversight, disagreed with his candidacy. Lt. Gov Nancy Dahlstrom initiated an investigation, and Carol Beecher, the state elections director, issued a preliminary ruling. Last Wednesday, she stated Dan J. Sullivan would be removed from the ballot unless he provided evidence proving his candidacy’s legitimacy.

On Monday, Ms. Beecher reported that she had received no such evidence. She noted that a declaration of candidacy aimed at misleading voters compromises ballot fairness, leading to her decision to de-certify his candidacy.

A declaration of candidacy filed for the purpose of confusing or misleading voters and compromising the fairness of the ballot is not properly filed.

Ms. Beecher cited several reasons for the decision. Dan J. Sullivan’s effort to appear on the ballot as “Dan Sullivan” rather than his registered name “Daniel J. Sullivan, Jr.” seemed to aim at voter confusion. She noted his confusion when he initially requested to be on the ballot as “Dan S. Sullivan,” which is the incumbent senator’s middle initial.