04.11.2026 21:20
In the US midterm elections, the Senate race in Alaska drew attention not only for the vote margin but also for the similarity of names among the candidates. In the election, where Democrat Mary Peltola was 626 votes ahead of Republican Senator Dan Sullivan, independent candidate Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., who has the same first and last name, receiving 3,583 votes sparked controversy. All eyes turned to the completion of the vote count and the evaluation to be made under the ranked-choice voting system.
In the US midterm elections, the Senate race in the state of Alaska was the scene of a rare ballot confusion and controversy. While Democratic candidate Mary Peltola continued the race 626 votes ahead of Republican Senator Dan Sullivan, the similarity of names on the ballot upended all the balances.
TWO CANDIDATES WITH THE SAME NAME WENT TO THE POLLS
In the race in Alaska, incumbent Republican Senator Dan S. Sullivan was challenged by independent candidate Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., who shares the same first and last name as him. Independent candidate Sullivan, a retired teacher, applied to court in order to appear on the ballot, and his participation in the race was finalized by the decision of the state courts.
DIFFERENCE 626 VOTES, INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE'S VOTES 3,583
According to the announced preliminary results, Democratic candidate Mary Peltola took first place with 102,701 votes (48.02%). Incumbent Republican Senator Dan S. Sullivan remained in second place with 102,075 votes (47.73%).
In the election, where the difference was only 626 votes, independent candidate Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., who has the same name as the Republican candidate, receiving 3,583 votes stirred up the political corridors. It is assessed that the confusion at the polls may have cost the Republican senator his seat.
THE RESULT IS NOT YET FINAL
While the vote-counting process continues in Alaska, if no candidate exceeds the 50 percent threshold in first preferences, the state's "ranked-choice voting system" will come into play. The exact result of the razor-thin race between the two candidates and the seat change will become clear in the coming days.