A federal judge in Trenton ruled against New Jersey’s primary ballot design, which favored party-backed candidates, potentially shaking up the state’s political landscape.
U.S. District Judge Zahid Quraishi sided with Democratic Representative Andy Kim and two congressional candidates who challenged the ballot format, arguing it violated their constitutional rights by granting undue advantage to endorsed candidates.
The contentious design, used in 19 out of 21 counties, arranged party-backed candidates in a single column, giving them greater visibility over others.
Kim, along with candidates Sarah Schoengood and Carolyn Rush, contended that this arrangement infringed on their freedom to associate with candidates of their choice and exceeded the state’s authority to regulate federal elections.
Judge Quraishi, appointed by President Joe Biden, agreed with the plaintiffs, acknowledging their evidence of constitutional violations.
Despite recognizing the unusual nature of ordering a redesign, he emphasized the need to safeguard the integrity of the democratic process, especially in primary elections.
As a remedy, the judge mandated the adoption of a ballot format organized by the office sought, with a randomized system ensuring equal ballot positioning for all candidates.
This decision aims to level the playing field and mitigate the unfair advantage conferred by the previous ballot layout.
Rep. Kim hailed the ruling as a triumph for fair and democratic politics in New Jersey. However, defense attorneys representing the ballot design did not offer immediate comment on the ruling.
This ruling comes at a critical juncture, particularly for Rep. Kim, who is vying for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by indicted Senator Bob Menendez.
The outcome of the primary redesign could significantly influence the dynamics of the upcoming elections, potentially reshaping the state’s political landscape.
