A lawsuit by the Justice Department challenging a potential narrow loss by the GOP Senate incumbent in Alaska reflects a new tactic by the president to try to shape the election results.

© Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times

Hope, dread and the final stretch to Election Day.

© The New York Times

Election officials across the state received letters from the agency saying if they fail to comply, they “risk significant federal scrutiny.”

© Philip Cheung for The New York Times

Election officials say they worry the administration could use its own unsubstantiated claims to contest the vote in November.

© Doug Mills/The New York Times