Voting rights advocates in New Jersey achieved a significant victory when a federal judge ruled against the use of county line primary ballots that favored party-backed candidates. This decision dealt a blow to the state’s entrenched political machines that have long utilized this system to support their chosen candidates. The injunction granted by US District Judge Zahid Quraishi means that New Jersey voters will now use office block ballots for the upcoming primary election, rather than the county line design that has been unique to the state.
The lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the county line ballot system was brought by Democratic Rep. Andy Kim and two other House candidates from South Jersey. The judge’s order prohibits county elections officials from organizing ballots based on columns or rows and requires a randomized order system that provides all candidates an equal chance at obtaining the first ballot position. Activists have been pushing back against the county line ballots for years, with the issue gaining more attention with Kim’s Senate bid against party machine-favored rival, Tammy Murphy.
Tammy Murphy recently dropped out of the Senate race, citing grassroots backlash partially linked to frustration over the advantages provided by the county line system. Kim hailed the judge’s decision as a victory for fair and democratic politics in New Jersey, acknowledging the efforts of activists who worked to address an undemocratic system that marginalizes voter voices. Antoinette Miles of the New Jersey Working Families Party also applauded the ruling, noting that candidates will now be held accountable to voters rather than party insiders due to the ballot overhaul.
The ruling could have implications for other down-ballot races in New Jersey this year, including primary challenges to incumbent representatives and the gubernatorial race in 2025. Potential candidates for the 2025 gubernatorial race are already positioning themselves, with Mayor Steven Fulop endorsing Andy Kim after Tammy Murphy dropped out of the Senate primary. Fulop and others view this ruling as a step towards a more representative electoral system that moves away from political bossism and corruption that has been an issue in the state.
The primary election for the Democratic Senate nomination in New Jersey includes candidates like progressive activist Patricia Campos-Medina and community organizer Larry Hamm, in addition to Andy Kim and others. Incumbent Senator Bob Menendez, who faces bribery charges, announced last week that he would not run for reelection in the Democratic primary this year. However, he left open the possibility of running as an independent. The lawsuit challenging the county line ballot system in New Jersey has sparked discussions around voting rights and fair representation in the state’s political landscape.
