Trump seeks Alaska Senate ballot changes and prosecutions

Two candidates in Alaska's Senate race are at the center of a dispute that could determine the chamber's majority. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on Wednesday that he wants Democratic nominee Mary Peltola and retired teacher Daniel J Sullivan Jr removed from the ballot. He also called for their prosecution, describing the alleged effort as "Voter Fraud at the Highest Level." The demand arrives four days before the November 3 vote.

Trump’s accusations follow a report by The New York Times. The paper detailed how allies of Peltola attempted to recruit candidates who might draw support away from incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan. The effort began in 2025, when a Peltola aide was asked to identify Alaskans with the senator's name. The report cited interviews and messages showing that Peltola advisers and officials from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee discussed reshaping the ballot.

The newspaper identified Democratic operative Jerid Kurtz as a key recruiter. It stated that Kurtz approached potential candidates, sometimes using an assumed name. One Democrat dropped out after being contacted by Kurtz. That exit allowed Republican Gerald Heikes to enter the race. Heikes said he was also encouraged to run. Peltola's former campaign manager, Elisa Rios, told The New York Times that Peltola knew about the operation but did not participate directly. Rios later tried to withdraw her statements, but the paper said other evidence supported its findings.

Both Peltola's campaign and the Democratic campaign committee denied that they recruited candidates to split the vote. The campaign said political threats from Washington would not stop Peltola's candidacy. Senator Sullivan told Fox News on Wednesday that Peltola deceived voters.

The practice of recruiting candidates to divide an opponent's support is known as ballot stacking. The New York Times noted that the tactic is generally legal and has been used by both parties in Alaska. The two Sullivans are among four candidates in a ranked-choice election. Voters list candidates by preference, and votes transfer to the next choice if a first pick is eliminated. The ballot lists the sitting senator as an incumbent Republican. His namesake, the retired teacher, says he entered the race as an independent. Alaska's Supreme Court upheld his right to run in June.

Separately, the Justice Department sued Alaska last week. The suit seeks to delay certification of the result if Senator Sullivan loses and votes for his namesake could have changed the outcome. Alaska has asked the court to dismiss the case, arguing it lacks legal grounds.