NJ Spotlight News
Murphy signs bill to revamp NJ's primary ballot
Clip: 3/7/2025 | 1m 32sVideo has Closed Captions
County clerks now required to group candidates by elected position
New Jersey's decades-long and highly controversial "county line" in state elections is officially dead. On Thursday, Gov. Phil Murphy quietly signed a bill that redesigns the state’s primary ballot system, which has long been criticized for giving an advantage to political party bosses and their chosen candidates.
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NJ Spotlight News is a local public television program presented by THIRTEEN PBS
NJ Spotlight News
Murphy signs bill to revamp NJ's primary ballot
Clip: 3/7/2025 | 1m 32sVideo has Closed Captions
New Jersey's decades-long and highly controversial "county line" in state elections is officially dead. On Thursday, Gov. Phil Murphy quietly signed a bill that redesigns the state’s primary ballot system, which has long been criticized for giving an advantage to political party bosses and their chosen candidates.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipAlso tonight, the county line in New Jersey is officially dead.
Governor Murphy on Thursday quietly signed the bill redesigning the state's primary ballot system, which has long been criticized for giving an advantage to political party bosses and the candidates they endorse.
The new law requires county clerks to print what's known as office block ballots, grouping candidates by the position they're seeking rather than the county party supporting them, giving them favored spots on the ballot.
The change comes after a contentious battle and lawsuit brought last year by then Congressman Andy Kim, who was facing first Lady Tammy Murphy for the Democratic nomination for Senate.
In a social media post today, though, Kim and other progressive said this bill, quote, falls short of what voters deserve, arguing it still benefits powerful party organizations because it allows running mates to be grouped together, increasing their odds of getting a better spot on the ballot.
The new design will be rolled out in time for this year's June 10th primary.
Advocates definitely have been saying that they think that this is an effort for lawmakers to try to, you know, put a thumb on the scale to put any influence that they can to help them get reelected since they can't have the county line again.
You know, a judge ruled that it is not a fair system.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipNJ Spotlight News is a local public television program presented by THIRTEEN PBS