The Department of Justice filed an extraordinary lawsuit seeking to block Alaska from certifying the winner of its upcoming U.S. Senate election if incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan loses the contest.

The lawsuit, filed less than two weeks before the Nov. 3 election , cites what it argues is likely voter confusion from the name of another candidate appearing on the ballot, retired teacher Daniel J. Sullivan.

The DOJ says that could help Democratic nominee Mary Peltola defeat the incumbent, Dan S. Sullivan, in what is expected to be a close contest.

The Alaska race is among several closely watched Senate races that could determine control of the chamber. Republicans currently hold a narrow majority.

The suit asks a federal judge in Alaska to bar the state from certifying "any result that may be impacted by voter confusion ... pending an investigation to determine whether votes cast for Daniel J.…