Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy says election certification process could be stopped or changed amid Peltola probe

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy said the state’s process for certifying an election could be “stopped or changed” in connection with an investigation he announced into ballot-stacking allegations involving Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola. Speaking during an interview with NewsNation host Blake Burman on Thursday, Dunleavy addressed whether the investigation could affect election verification steps in Alaska. The governor framed the issue as linked to the state’s review of allegations he said his administration is examining, adding that certification actions are subject to the status of that inquiry. Dunleavy’s comments came after he said earlier Thursday that Alaska would pursue an investigation related to Peltola. The Hill reported that the governor was asked directly whether the investigation could disrupt the normal certification timeline, with Burman challenging him on the practical effect of the probe on election administration. While Alaska’s certification process generally involves steps to verify election results, Dunleavy’s remarks suggested his administration could seek changes to the schedule or potentially halt certification if investigators determine further action is warranted. The exchange focused on the governor’s ability to influence whether the state moves forward with certification while allegations remain under review. The allegations at the center of the investigation relate to “ballot stacking,” a term used in election disputes to describe claims that ballots were unlawfully grouped, processed, or counted in ways that violate election rules. In this case, the investigation targets claims associated with Peltola, according to reporting about Dunleavy’s announcement. In response to questions about timing, Dunleavy indicated that the state’s certification process is not necessarily fixed and could be adjusted to account for what the investigation finds. The Hill reported that Dunleavy’s position centered on whether the state’s ongoing probe could change the pace or outcome of certification procedures. Election certification in U.S. states is typically structured around legal deadlines, administrative review, and certification authorities. Dunleavy’s public remarks, as described by The Hill, indicate Alaska may consider how the findings or status of an election-related investigation intersect with established certification practices, potentially affecting how quickly results are finalized in the near term.