Alaska Senate Race Stirred by 'Ballot Stacking' Controversy

The Controversy

In the upcoming US midterm elections, Alaska’s Senate ballot features two candidates named Dan Sullivan: the Republican incumbent and a retired teacher. Reports have alleged that allies of Democratic challenger Mary Peltola coordinated to recruit the second Sullivan to dilute the incumbent’s vote, a practice known as “ballot stacking.”

Official Responses

• President Donald Trump: Called the situation “total election fraud” and requested a Justice Department investigation.
• Mary Peltola: Denied any involvement or knowledge of a scheme to trick voters.
• US Attorney Michael Heyman: Stated that Democrats allegedly “orchestrated a sprawling conspiracy” and confirmed that the matter is under investigation.
• Governor Mike Dunleavy: Ordered a criminal investigation into the ballot composition.

How 'Ballot Stacking' Works

Ballot stacking involves recruiting candidates with similar names to confuse voters and divert support from an opponent. Historical examples include:

• Florida (2020): A candidate with the same surname as a Democratic incumbent was paid to run, resulting in the incumbent losing by 32 votes.
• Washington (2024): Namesakes were recruited to run against Bob Ferguson; however, they withdrew after legal threats.
• India: A common tactic, though effectiveness varies. While some candidates like Rahul Gandhi and Hema Malini won despite namesake rivals, others like K Sudhakaran lost elections where namesakes secured a significant number of votes.

Verification of these events can be sought through official filings with the Alaska Division of Elections and ongoing reports from the US Department of Justice.