TRENTON, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — Congressman Andy Kim was in federal court today as his attorneys argued the need to abolish the county line system of support for New Jersey primary elections.
In 19 of New Jersey’s 21 counties that use the county line system, primary candidates endorsed by political parties are organized on ballots by county clerks all in the same column or row regardless of the office they seek.
Research has shown that it gives party-endorsed candidates a distinct advantage because they appear on the ballot alongside more popular candidates running in different races, among other reasons.
As for how counties decide what candidates to endorse and give preferential positioning to, some do it with an open vote convention while others defer to party leaders.
On Sunday, New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin said he will not argue in favor of keeping the county line system in place, saying he believes the statutes are unconstitutional. It’s the same position Kim’s lawyers are taking.
In a letter to the judge, Platkin said at one point in time those running for governor or U.S. Senate were prohibited from the sort of ballot bracketing that has become a core function of the county line system.
Those arguing in favor of the county line system say political party leaders should be allowed to choose candidates they believe have the best chance to win and that it’s too late to make any changes to the system with the primary coming in June.
New Jersey is the only state to have a county line system of its kind in place for primary elections.
A ruling in Kim’s challenge is not expected until a later date and could come next week.