New Jersey AG says controversial ballot design in Senate race to replace Menendez is unconstitutional

[RandySF]

New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin’s office said in legal filings Sunday that state laws that create the so-called party line are unconstitutional and that his office will not defend them in Rep. Andy Kim’s lawsuit seeking to eliminate the controversial ballot design.

The bombshell legal filing comes the day before a federal judge is scheduled to have a hearing in Kim’s lawsuit against the line — the short-hand in New Jersey for preferential ballot positioning for candidates. Kim is running for U.S. Senate against first lady Tammy Murphy, who has amassed county party support that gives her favorable primary ballot positioning in a majority of the state. They both seek to replace indicted Sen. Bob Menendez, a fellow Democrat who is charged with corruption.

County-endorsed candidates who get "the line" often win elections, according to multiple studies. That is key in a Democratic primary, since New Jersey hasn't sent a Republican to the Senate in 50 years.

Kim is seeking a preliminary injunction from federal judge Zahid Quraishi to eliminate the party line from ballots ahead of the June primary.



https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/new-jersey-ag-says-controversial-ballot-design-in-senate-race-to-replace-menendez-is-unconstitutional/ar-BB1k3Ax1

[padah513]

1. I get Rep. Kim's point and he's right, but it doesn't matter where his name is on the ballot, I'm voting for him.

I saw what he did in the Capital on January 7th of 2021, and I'll take actions over words any day of the week. I never even heard of Governor Murphy's wife until a couple weeks ago, and as far as I'm concerned, her candidacy is nepotism. She unfairly has the weight of Trenton behind her because of who her husband is and that should disqualify her. Look, I like Governor Murphy, anybody was an improvement over Christie, but I like him a lot less today than I did three weeks ago.

[Pepsidog]

2. Kim is my Rep. and this is the first I'm hearing about Murphy's wife. I like Gov. Murphy but having his wife run for the

Senate seat doesn’t look good.

[MagickMuffin]

3. Tammy Murphy seems like she is entitled to the seat

And apparently her entitlement is working. I prefer Andy Kim and would vote for him if I could. He has experience for the job. Tammy Murphy has her husband as her experience.


I hope Andy Kim wins!