Watchdog refers Alaska Senate election law allegations to DOJ

The nonprofit American Accountability Foundation has submitted a 114-page referral to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Alaska, alleging election law violations during the state’s Senate race.

The watchdog group claims a network of groups linked to a “decoy candidate” with a name similar to incumbent Republican Senator Daniel S. Sullivan may have illegally coordinated contributions, contributed in the name of others, or shared infrastructure for an advertisement campaign. Republicans allege the alternative candidate, Dan J. Sullivan, is running to siphon votes from the incumbent to benefit Democratic opponent Mary Peltola.

While the Alaska Division of Elections initially removed the candidate from the ballot, a state judge later overruled that decision. The referral urges federal prosecutors to investigate various nonprofits and political action committees for evidence of illegal communication and coordination.