The American Civil Liberties Union has asked a federal judge to consider sanctions against the Justice Department over its lawsuit seeking to block certification of Alaska’s Senate election, a request All Rise News’ Adam Klasfeld called “blistering” on the Legal AF podcast.
Klasfeld warned the DOJ’s suit seeks to stop certification of the race’s victor if Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan loses. The ACLU’s filing, which he read, calls it a “bizarre 11th hour stunt suit” and says DOJ’s “desire for a political confrontation is no substitute for a legitimate legal theory.” It urges the court to dismiss the case and consider Rule 11 sanctions against the lawyers who signed it.
The lead attorney, Stanley Woodward, is the DOJ’s third-ranking official, Klasfeld noted.
Klasfeld interviewed the ACLU’s Yasmin Kedar, who said the group doesn’t request sanctions lightly, since it’s something attorneys “rarely, rarely ask for.” She called the suit baseless and said it attempts to interfere with a Senate race before votes are counted, adding that Alaska courts already decided the second Dan Sullivan’s ballot access.
Kedar said the New York Times reporting that Sullivan had allegedly been recruited in an attempt to confuse Republican voters doesn’t change the law. “Have the rules been followed? Yes, they have,” she said.
Asked about Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s suggestion he might withhold certification if Democrat candidate Mary Peltola wins, Kedar said, “We’ll see you in court.” Klasfeld said the judge has moved quickly, granting expedited briefing on a motion to dismiss.
Kedar concluded by urging voters not to be deterred and to cast their ballots as planned: “Go vote. We’re going to handle the rest.”
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