Democrat lawyer targeted in Alaska ballot confusion probe

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 3 Nov, 22:45 · Archive

Marc Elias, a prominent Democratic election lawyer, has been targeted in a Justice Department investigation into efforts to recruit an Alaska man with the same name as Republican Senator Dan Sullivan.

The Justice Department has issued approximately 20 target and preservation letters in its investigation into alleged efforts to get an Alaska man named Daniel J Sullivan, a retired schoolteacher, on to the ballot to confuse voters ahead of the election. Marc Elias, a prominent Democratic election lawyer and longtime Trump opponent, received one of these letters.

A federal grand jury in Alaska is investigating potential conspiracy and donor fraud. According to the New York Times, lawyers for the campaign of Democrat Mary Peltola and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee were involved in efforts to recruit the candidate, though Peltola and her campaign have denied any involvement. Peltola is running for re-election as an incumbent senator.

The timing of sending target letters close to election day is described as very unusual, as the Justice Department has typically avoided taking actions that could affect elections near polling day. Receiving a target letter does not mean a person will be charged with a crime. Elias stated in response that the investigation amounts to weaponisation of the DOJ against Trump's political enemies and said his firm will not be intimidated.

How it is being reported

• US Department of Justice expands its probe into Alaska’s US Senate electionThe Trump administration is doubling down on allegations Democrats stood up a 'spoiler' candidate against Republicans.Al Jazeera · 4 Nov, 00:33
• Trump admin puts alleged 'Decoy Dan' conspirators on notice in Alaska election spoiler probeThe Justice Department has issued more than 120 subpoenas and 20 target letters in its probe of Daniel J. Sullivan's Alaska Senate candidacy.Fox News · 3 Nov, 23:31
• DoJ tells Democrats in letters they could be targets of Alaska ballot investigationTop election lawyer and lawmakers received notes over alleged scheme to confuse voters with two Dan Sullivans The justice department has sent letters to a top Democratic election lawyer and other Democrats informing them they could be targets in a federal investigation into efforts to get an Alaska man with the same name as Republican senator Daniel Sullivan on to the ballot. The decision to send the letters is very unusual. The justice department has long avoided taking actions that could affect an election close to election day. It is also not common to send out target letters so early in…Guardian World · 3 Nov, 22:12
• Attorney and Trump foe targeted in Alaska ballot probe, sources sayMarc Elias, a longtime Democratic attorney and vocal opponent of the Trump administration, received one of about 20 target letters sent by the DOJ in its Alaska ballot investigation.CBS News · 3 Nov, 19:59

In this story: Marc Elias · Dan Sullivan · Mary Peltola · Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee · Justice Department · Alaska

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log