A federal judge ruled that New Jersey’s unique primary ballot design must be scrapped, citing concerns about the integrity of the democratic process. The current system groups party-backed candidates together in a single column, potentially giving them an advantage over candidates without establishment support. The ruling, granted in response to a lawsuit filed by Democratic Rep. Andy Kim and two other candidates, applies to the upcoming June 4 primary. While the defendants, mostly the state’s county clerks responsible for designing the ballots, argued that they lacked time to redesign them, the judge emphasized the importance of preserving the integrity of the democratic practice.
Rep. Andy Kim praised the ruling as a victory for grassroots activists who have been working to address the undemocratic nature of the primary ballot system in New Jersey. The decision comes amid a contentious primary contest for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Bob Menendez. The state’s first lady, Tammy Murphy, dropped out of the race with party leader backing in populous counties, potentially benefiting from favorable ballot positions. Kim, a three-term congressman from the state’s 3rd District, is now considered to be in a strong position to become the next senator in New Jersey.
Some county clerks, like Mary Melfi from Hunterdon County, expressed concerns about the feasibility of complying with the court’s ruling within the specified timeframe. Melfi compared the situation to being ordered to repaint a house on a tight deadline, questioning whether they could find a painter and complete the task in time. The ruling has also sparked discussions about the impact on the upcoming primary, particularly in light of the heated race for the Senate seat. Sen. Bob Menendez, who faces federal indictment along with his spouse and associates, has announced he will not run as a Democrat but has left open the possibility of an independent bid if exonerated.
Advocates who have been pushing for an end to preferential ballot positioning for party favorites, known as county-line ballot design, celebrated the judge’s decision as a significant step towards reforming New Jersey’s political landscape. The ruling represents a significant blow against the state’s unique ballot design, as earlier this month, the Attorney General declared it to be unconstitutional and refused to defend it. Legislative leaders, responding to pressure from the Democratic party base, have agreed to consider legislation that would overhaul the existing system. The timeline for implementing these changes remains uncertain, but the decision is seen as a milestone in the effort to ensure fairness and transparency in New Jersey’s primary elections.
