Alaska asks judge to dismiss Justice Department suit over Senate ballots

Alaska's Republican-led state government asked a federal judge Saturday to dismiss a Justice Department lawsuit over the U.S. Senate race between Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan and Democrat Mary Peltola. The Justice Department wants ballots ranking a second candidate, Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., preserved and set aside, saying there is a "substantial risk" his candidacy will mislead voters, and it has confirmed a criminal investigation after New York Times reporting that Peltola's campaign appeared to be involved in recruiting him. The state says setting those ballots aside is impractical and would violate ballot secrecy. Peltola denies knowing about any effort to put him on the ballot. Election Day is Tuesday.