By: James Brooks, Alaska Beacon This article was updated at noon Tuesday with an order from Judge Sharon Gleason. Attorneys representing the state of Alaska have asked a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit by the U.S. Department of Justice that is seeking to halt the certification of the state’s ongoing U.S. Senate election. The lawsuit, ordered by President Donald Trump and filed last week, asks the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska to prevent the Alaska Division of Elections from declaring a winner in the election unless the winner is the incumbent, Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan, an ally of the President.  Shortly before noon Tuesday, Judge Sharon Gleason, an Obama appointee who is presiding over the case, issued an order stating that the federal government has until 3 p.m. Thursday to submit written arguments against the dismissal request. The state has until noon Friday to offer a rebuttal. The state has asked Gleason to rule on the dismissal request no later than Monday, the day before Election Day. “This will ensure that Alaskans heading to the ballot box (as well as those who have already voted) have confidence that their votes will count and the U.S.