New Jersey ballot design scrapped by judge in win for Andy Kim

A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting the use of New Jersey’s “county line” ballot, a highly consequential ruling that could significantly reshape the state’s political system. 

U.S. District Judge Zahid Quraishi issued the order on Friday, ruling that Kim’s lawsuit arguing the system used in 19 of New Jersey’s 21 counties to decide where a candidate’s name is placed on a ballot is undemocratic and unconstitutional is likely to succeed on its merits.

The order will require a different structure to be used for the ballot in the state’s June 4 primary after decades of party bosses having significant influence in deciding nominees. 

The ruling is a big win for Kim, who sued along with a couple other congressional candidates last month, as he has sought to buck the establishment as he runs for Senate.

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