Controversy Over Ballot Namesakes in Alaska and Florida Elections

The presence of two Dan Sullivans on Alaska’s U.S. Senate ballot has stirred echoes of a 2020 Florida state senate controversy. In that case, a former Republican senator faced accusations of paying a candidate who shared the Democratic incumbent’s last name, hoping to divert votes. While Alaska’s situation remains under investigation, both incidents highlight a political tactic known as ‘ballot stacking,’ a not uncommon and typically legal strategy in the U.S.

The Case of the Two Dan Sullivans in Alaska

Under Alaska’s ranked choice voting system, the top four candidates from the U.S. Senate primary are set to appear on the November 3rd ballot. These candidates include Mary Peltola, a Democrat and former congresswoman; incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan; Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., a retired educator and political novice who initially declared as a Republican; and Jerry Heikes, a Republican drywall contractor.

The appearance of a second Dan Sullivan unsettled former President Donald Trump, leading him to criticize the ranked choice voting system and allege Democratic misconduct. Alaska election authorities too raised doubts about Sullivan Jr.’s candidacy, initially disqualifying him but later reinstating him following a court ruling.

Controversy peaked with Trump’s administration threatening to sue to prevent race certification if Sullivan lost with votes siphoned away. The issue remains contentious since New York Times revelations suggested Democrats attempted to introduce another Dan Sullivan to hamper the Republican incumbent. Although Peltola denied direct involvement, her former campaign manager acknowledged awareness of efforts to find a namesake rival.

The federal court, however, dismissed the Trump administration’s case, stating their requested measures wouldn’t resolve the alleged voter confusion. Experts cited concerns about voter confusion, though generally legal, such strategies remain under scrutiny with ongoing investigations.

Florida’s 2020 State Senate Election: Two Rodriguez on the Ballot

In Florida, the 2020 state Senate election for District 37 featured two Rodriguez candidates: Democratic incumbent Jose Javier Rodriguez and independent Alex Rodriguez. They were joined by Republican Ileana Garcia. Garcia narrowly won by 32 votes, with Alex Rodriguez attracting over 6,000 votes.

Subsequently, former state Senator Frank Artiles was charged with orchestrating the placement of a fake candidate to confuse voters and shift outcomes. He allegedly paid Alex Rodriguez for complicity in the effort. After pleading guilty, Rodriguez agreed to testify against Artiles, who faced probation and jail time. Democratic demands for Garcia’s resignation went unheeded as she continued her political career.

Comparing the Controversies

Artiles’ conviction centered on illicit payments, shedding light on the legal boundaries of using so-called ‘sham’ candidates. Placement of a namesake on ballots is generally legal if money isn’t exchanged. There are no similar payment allegations in Alaska’s scenario involving Sullivan Jr. Legal experts, such as Jeff Feldman, suggest that even if Peltola’s operatives encouraged Sullivan Jr.’s candidacy, there may be no breach of Alaskan law.

Despite legal nuances, both Trump and Attorney General Todd Blanche have vocally criticized the occurrence of such candidacies, terming it as deceit. Election officials have emphasized their clarity efforts, with clear party affiliations and incumbency labels differentiating the Sullivans on Alaska’s ballot. Additionally, organizations like FairVote argue that Alaska’s ranked choice voting minimizes the risk of confusion between similarly named candidates, assuring voter intent is accurately captured.