New Jersey’s primary ballot design has been a topic of controversy, with a recent ruling by U.S. District Judge Zahid Quraishi putting a halt on the county line primary system ahead of the June primary. This system groups candidates who have won the county party’s backing in a single column, giving them an advantage over other candidates listed elsewhere on the ballot. The ruling was upheld by the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia, denying an appeal by county clerks seeking to halt the order.
Democratic Rep. Andy Kim, who is campaigning to succeed indicted Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez, filed the lawsuit against New Jersey’s primary ballot system. Kim and two other Democratic candidates argued that the system gives an unfair advantage to party-backed candidates and relegates others to less prominent positions on the ballot. The ruling only applies to the Democratic primary, not the Republican primary, and it is unclear what will happen beyond the June primary.
The suit was originally brought against first lady Tammy Murphy, who was contesting with Kim for the Senate seat, but she has since dropped out of the race, leaving Kim in a favorable position. The ruling against the county line system aligns with progressive Democrats who have been critical of the system, saying it favors influential party leaders who make decisions behind closed doors. The GOP, who have not elected a Republican to the Senate in New Jersey for over five decades, expressed interest in joining the lawsuit but were denied by Judge Quraishi.
The Republican Party in New Jersey is hopeful that recent developments, including Menendez’s second corruption trial where he pleaded not guilty to federal charges, may tarnish the Democrats’ reputation. Democrats have nearly a million more registered voters than Republicans in the state, highlighting the significance of the primary elections in determining the future political landscape. The ruling on the primary ballot design is seen as a step towards creating a more fair and equitable election system in New Jersey.
