Alaska's election division director ruled Friday that a Senate candidate who shares the name Dan Sullivan with the incumbent Republican senator is ineligible for the August primary ballot. The official determined the candidate's filing violated state law against ballot confusion. It is the latest twist in a quirky political race that has drawn national attention.
State law prohibits candidates from using a name that is identical or deceptively similar to an already qualified candidate's name. The ruling effectively removes the threat of voter confusion that could have split the Republican vote in the primary. The incumbent Dan Sullivan is seeking a second term.
The candidate who filed under the same name had listed the same party affiliation as the sitting senator. Alaska election officials said the filing appeared intended to confuse voters. The state has a long history of such name-based ballot challenges.
The decision now blocks the challenger from appearing on the ballot unless a court overturns the ruling. The candidate could appeal the decision or file under a different name. The primary election is scheduled for August 20.