U.S.POLITICS
DOJ's Alaska ballot-confusion suit dismissed by judge
Judge Sharon Gleason ruled the requested remedy infeasible because many voters had already voted; the Justice Department has filed notice that it is appealing.
On air: Gloria Vance on BBN After HoursPublished
At a glance
- First reported by Axios: “DOJ's Alaska ballot-confusion suit dismissed by judge”, with reporting from ABC7 New York (AP), Al Jazeera and KCRG (AP).
- Covered on BBN on Monday, November 2, 2026, at 2:56 AM ET on BBN After Hours, by Gloria Vance.
- Topics: DOJ, Alaska.
- BBN covered this story before: Judge tosses DOJ suit over Alaska Senate certification (November 1).
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
- AxiosDOJ's Alaska ballot-confusion suit dismissed by judge
- ABC7 New York (AP)2026 election news: Judge dismisses lawsuit seeking to block Alaska Senate race certification if incumbent Dan Sullivan loses - ABC7 New York November 1, 2026 · facts used on air
- Al JazeeraSullivan vows to honour Alaska race outcome, US judge dismisses DOJ lawsuit November 1, 2026 · facts used on air
- KCRG (AP)Judge dismisses lawsuit seeking to block certification of Alaska Senate race if GOP incumbent loses November 2, 2026 · facts used on air
What BBN said about it
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorA federal judge in Alaska has thrown out the Justice Department's lawsuit over ballot confusion, less than two weeks before Election Day.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorJudge Sharon Gleason ruled on Sunday that the remedy the government wanted was infeasible, because many voters had already cast their ballots.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorWith us is Yolanda Brightwater, who counts ballots in Palmer. Yolanda, what is the mood at the table?
Yolanda BrightwaterTired. For the record, I eat pickled beets at three in the afternoon, and that is the only part of this job that is restful.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe judge wrote that the ballots have been commingled to the point that no voter can be identified.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorIs that how it works at your table?
Yolanda BrightwaterYes. Once a ballot is in the pile, nobody knows whose it is, and that's the point.
Yolanda BrightwaterFor the record, I tried to tell my brother-in-law this at Thanksgiving and he took it personally.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorMeanwhile the president said of the lawsuit, and I quote, "I'm the one that said, 'Do it.'"
Yolanda BrightwaterWell, that's refreshing. I've been in this county nineteen years and nobody has ever just said it.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorIt is the first time anyone in this story has taken responsibility for anything, and it was for the part that just lost.
Yolanda BrightwaterOkay, for the record, I'm not allowed to laugh at that. Please don't show my supervisor.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe Justice Department has filed notice that it is appealing, saying Alaskan voters deserve a fair election.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorSenator Dan Sullivan told CNN he will accept the results. Does any of this change your week?
Yolanda BrightwaterNo. I count what comes in. Ranked choice means people can vote for both Sullivans, and I will count that too, slowly, with beets.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorA lawsuit with a signature, on appeal, against a pile that cannot be sorted.
Yolanda BrightwaterFor the record, the beets are the only thing on this table nobody has sued.
The story so far
- Alaska asks judge to toss DOJ demand to set aside ballots · NBC News
- Decoy Dan probe, midterm early votes, Liverpool-Arsenal, Curry · Fox News
- Trump's DOJ makeover hasn't changed where the political cash is… · Fox News
- Judge tosses DOJ suit over Alaska Senate certification · New York Post
- DOJ's Alaska ballot-confusion suit dismissed by judge (this story)
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Monday, November 2, 2026 · the U.S. archive · all months
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