In a newly released sample ballot, the Alaska Division of Elections has attempted to help voters distinguish between the more famous sitting U.S. Sen. Dan S. Sullivan and the upstart retired teacher from Petersburg Dan J. Sullivan.
The sample ballot was released days after the Alaska Supreme Court ordered the Division of Elections to reinstate the Petersburg Sullivan. Previously, state officials had deemed that his candidacy was not “in good faith,” but was intended to confuse voters and hurt Sen. Sullivan’s re-election campaign.
The Petersburg Sullivan is now listed as “Sullivan, Daniel J. Jr.,” while the current Senator is listed as “Sullivan, Dan S. (Registered Republican) Incumbent.”
Originally, the Petersburg Sullivan had asked to have his first name listed as Dan, like the sitting senator, and he wanted to be identified as a Republican, the same as Sen. Sullivan.
The draft ballot doesn’t give any party affiliation for the Petersburg Sullivan.
It’s still unclear whether he will challenge the new draft ballot’s wording.
