A federal judge Monday night fast-tracked the Department of Justice's lawsuit seeking to block prompt certification of Alaska's Senate election if Republican incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan loses the race because of potential voter confusion from another candidate who shares his name.
Judge Sharon Gleason's order sets the stage for her to potentially rule on a request by the campaign of Democratic nominee Mary Peltola to dismiss the suit before Election Day, Nov. 3.
The winner of the race could determine which party holds a majority in the Senate starting in January.
Gleason granted a motion by Peltola's campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee to expedite consideration of the case in U.S. District Court in Alaska.
The judge ordered the DOJ to respond by 5 p.m. Alaska Time on Tuesday to motions to intervene in the case by Peltola's campaign, the DSCC, the League of Women Voters and the advocacy group Common Cause. Gleason said she intends to rule on the motions to intervene by late Wednesday afternoon.