Is This It for New Jersey’s Corrupt Primary System?
Column A is a symbol of New Jersey’s notoriously un-democratic Democratic Party primary. Under the “county line” system, party bosses in each county get to choose which candidates show up in the first column of primary ballots, then urge members to “vote Column A, all the way.”
Both parties in all but two counties use this system for primaries. Because New Jersey is a safe blue state, putting a Democrat in Column A is basically coronating them for office. “Column A, all the way” has even become a slogan that politicians use to shout down protesters.
But the county line system may soon become a relic of the past. Sen. Bob Menendez (D–N.J.) is facing corruption charges, leaving his seat up for grabs. Rep. Andy Kim, one of the Democratic candidates to replace him, is suing county clerks across the state to have the primary ballot redesigned. Congressional candidates Carolyn Rush and Sarah Schoengood have also joined the lawsuit.
Over the weekend, Kim’s main Democratic rival Tammy Murphy dropped out of the Senate primary, and county bosses across the state endorsed Kim, setting up his name to be in Column A. The Burlington County Clerk then implied in a Monday court filing that the lawsuit should be thrown out, since “lead Plaintiff Andy Kim will hold the ballot position this very lawsuit alleges is unconstitutional in every county in the state that utilizes this design.”
Kim, Rush, and Schoengood have vowed to press on with their case. In a letter to the court filed on Tuesday night, Kim’s lawyers said that he will accept the Column A endorsements but “all Plaintiffs have requested and continue to request” that the system be abolished altogether.
“The clerks’ county line primary ballots county line primary ballots continue to violate constitutional rights of all three candidates who are suing, as well as the voters’ rights,” the plaintiffs’ lawyers said in a separate statement to Politico. “New Jersey cannot tolerate one more unconstitutional election.”
An expert report submitted to the county by Princeton University neuroscience professor Samuel S.-H. Wang noted that the ballot design is a “powerful force to steer voter behavior towards specific choices.” Just looking at a sample ballot in the report is enough to explain why.Â
Surprisingly, the New Jersey state government appears to agree. Attorney General Matt Platkin said that the county line system was “unconstitutional,” adding that he would not defend it in court.
The story of this primary race is the story o
Article from Latest
The Reason Magazine website is a go-to destination for libertarians seeking cogent analysis, investigative reporting, and thought-provoking commentary. Championing the principles of individual freedom, limited government, and free markets, the site offers a diverse range of articles, videos, and podcasts that challenge conventional wisdom and advocate for libertarian solutions. Whether you’re interested in politics, culture, or technology, Reason provides a unique lens that prioritizes liberty and rational discourse. It’s an essential resource for those who value critical thinking and nuanced debate in the pursuit of a freer society.