The Justice Department is seeking to preserve ballots cast in Alaska’s closely watched Senate race, not change votes or declare a winner, as the department pursues an investigation into allegations that Democratic operatives helped recruit a second candidate named Dan Sullivan to confuse voters.

U.S. Attorney Michael Heyman, who oversees the District of Alaska, confirmed Friday that federal authorities are conducting parallel civil and criminal investigations into the controversy. He said the two proceedings are operating independently, with the civil lawsuit focused on preserving ballots and the criminal investigation examining possible wrongdoing.

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