“The integrity of the democratic process for a primary election is at stake, and the remedy plaintiffs are seeking is extraordinary,” stated Judge Quraishi. “Plaintiffs’ burden on this motion is therefore particularly heavy. Nevertheless, the court finds, based on this record, that plaintiffs have met their burden and that this is the rare instance when mandatory relief is warranted.”
Plaintiffs’ Persistence Pays Off
Rep. Andy Kim, along with congressional candidates Sarah Schoengood and Carolyn Rush, spearheaded the legal battle against the county line system. Their lawsuit targeted the clerks of 19 out of 21 counties in the state utilizing the controversial ballot arrangement. Citing constitutional violations, the plaintiffs argued that the county line ballot system infringed upon fundamental rights enshrined in the First and Fourteenth Amendments.
Attorney General Concedes Unconstitutionality
The courtroom drama unfolded against the backdrop of Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin’s admission of the ballot’s constitutional infirmity. In a letter to the court, Platkin’s office refrained from intervening in the case, affirming the contested ballot’s unconstitutionality.
NJ Judge County Line Nixing : A Tectonic Shift in New Jersey Politics
With the judge’s ruling, New Jersey’s political terrain stands poised for a seismic shift. The elimination of the county line system heralds a new era of electoral fairness and accountability. As the state braces for the upcoming primary, all eyes are on the unfolding ramifications of this judicial upheaval.
