In the upcoming June Democratic primary, New Jersey is required to adopt a new ballot design, shifting away from the traditional county line system
A federal appeals court recently decided to eliminate the “county line” system for the June Democratic primaries in New Jersey. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit upheld a district court’s preliminary injunction, preventing the practice of listing county party-endorsed candidates at the top of the ballot, with others positioned lower. This ruling marks a significant change in the primary election process.
A federal appeals court ruled in favor of trashing the “county line” for the New Jersey Democratic primaries in June.
The ruling from a panel of judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit on Wednesday upheld a district court’s preliminary injunction, blocking the controversial format that lists candidates endorsed by the county party on the top row or column of a ballot while placing other candidates farther down.
“In sum, we will affirm the District Court’s order granting the preliminary injunction because its findings of fact are substantiated, its conclusions of law are sound, and its ultimate decision granting the injunction presents no abuse of discretion,” the ruling from the appeals court said.
Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ), who has spearheaded the push to do away with the “county-line” ballot, celebrated the court’s ruling as a victory for “fair elections.”
The 3rd Circuit Appeals Court affirms our legal win for fair ballots this June! This movement pushing for fair elections in NJ is powerful and is changing politics in NJ for the better. https://t.co/IzC58xqesO
— Andy Kim (@AndyKimNJ) April 17, 2024
“The 3rd Circuit Appeals Court affirms our legal win for fair ballots this June! This movement pushing for fair elections in NJ is powerful and is changing politics in NJ for the better,” Kim posted on X.
Kim is the favorite to win the Democratic nomination for Sen. Bob Menendez’s (D-NJ) seat after New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy dropped her bid last month. Menendez has ruled out running for the Democratic nomination for his seat but has left the door open for an independent run for his seat.
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The “county line” has been a staple of New Jersey politics but has come under renewed scrutiny due to Kim’s push. Since Kim’s victories in the court, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle in the Garden State have expressed a willingness to change state law on the ballot’s format.
The Democratic primaries in New Jersey are scheduled for June 4.
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