DOJ faces ‘heavy lift’ in Alaska election appeal as separate criminal probe continues

The Justice Department faces an uphill legal battle in its bid to overturn a federal judge's dismissal of its Alaska Senate election lawsuit, according to legal experts who questioned whether the government can secure meaningful relief before voting ends Tuesday — even as a separate criminal investigation continues.

DOJ filed a notice of appeal after Obama-appointed U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason dismissed its lawsuit Sunday over the presence of two candidates named Dan Sullivan on Alaska's Senate ballot.