Justice Department ballot scrutiny insults Alaska voters

The Justice Department is scrutinizing ranked-choice ballots in Alaska that listed Republican Dan J. Sullivan as a second choice, a move one Wasilla voter calls an insult to Alaskans' intelligence. The voter, John Hutchison, expressed disapproval of the federal action. Hutchison, a former Republican who now supports Democrat Mary Peltola, voted early and ranked Sullivan second, calling him a good man who shares his values. He argues the scrutiny unfairly targets Sullivan votes and suggests MAGA Republicans may struggle with ranked-choice voting requirements. The letter criticizes the Justice Department's intervention as unnecessary, asserting that most Alaskans can competently navigate the voting system, including spelling Murkowski when needed. Hutchison urged the department to register his disapproval of the action.