JUNEAU, Alaska — Alaska officials are asking a federal court to dismiss the U.S. Justice Department's lawsuit seeking to intervene in how the state certifies results from Tuesday's U.S. Senate election.

The closely contested race includes Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan and Democrat Mary Peltola. The federal government has argued that the candidacy of a third person with a similar name, Dan J. Sullivan Jr., could confuse voters and affect the outcome.

Alaska's Republican-led administration argues the federal suit has no legal basis and that demands to separate ballots cast for a particular candidate are inconsistent with voter privacy and the state's election procedures. The Alaska Supreme Court had previously determined that the additional candidate was qualified for the ballot.

The disputed issues remain allegations in ongoing litigation, not findings that votes were illegally cast. The case has intensified scrutiny of election administration just before November 3.