By Tiffany Muller and Brian Lemek
Last week, the Andy Kim campaign filed legal action in New Jersey to ensure voters are not robbed of a legitimate choice in the June 4 Senate primary.
New Jersey has an archaic ballot system that dates back to the days of party boss patronage politics.
While powerful insiders reap the benefits of this corrupt and anti-democratic system, regular voters pay the price.
New Jersey is the only state in the nation which uses a “county line” system that allows party bosses to decide whether voters have a fair opportunity to see which candidates are running for office. They can literally hide political opponents from view on the ballot.
End Citizens United and Defend The Vote support this filing. Our two organizations are dedicated to preserving and strengthening our democracy.
But that’s not happening in the New Jersey primary. Candidates who appeal to most voters and are more popular can be banished to ballot Siberia. Voters have to search to find them. Meanwhile, candidates who ally themselves with key party bosses — through threats and intimidation, the promise of favors, or otherwise — are given prominent placement.
The impact is real. No incumbent who secured the county line has lost since 2009. Research shows candidates on the county line have an average advantage of 38 points in the primary.
Two New Jersey counties do not use the county line system, shunning it for the same ballot structure 49 other states use.
The other 19 counties haven’t, which is why this dynamic has become a major flashpoint in the state’s Senate primary. To many, the county line represents the old corrupt, machine-style politics or the too familiar string of political scandals and indictments in the state. New Jerseyans are eager for change and to turn the page to a new chapter of honest leadership.
The candidate who offers that leadership is ahead in the polls. Congressman Andy Kim is running a people-powered campaign fueled by grassroots support. Kim’s lead is being challenged by First Lady Tammy Murphy, whose entire strategy rests on the county ballot line staying in place.
She’s using her insider connections to secure endorsements from party bosses through any means necessary and using those endorsements to get prominent placement on the ballot.
Understanding her campaign is doomed by a fair process, Murphy has resisted calls to eliminate the county line system — standing shoulder to shoulder with party bosses fighting to keep it.
Andy Kim is such a strong candidate who’s building broad grassroots support that we believe he will overcome the machine and county lines. But beating the corrupt ballot system once doesn’t resolve the fact voters are hurt too often by this system.
The fact is the system has been rigged against working people for far too long. The wealthy and well-connected use their power and influence to secure their tax breaks, score government contracts, and get sweetheart deals from those in charge. Meanwhile families who are struggling to afford rent, groceries and health care continue to have their voices drowned out.
Andy Kim has been fighting to change that. He’s been leading the fight to root out corruption, ensure everyone’s voice is heard and every vote is counted — including leading on legislation like the Freedom to Vote Act and John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. He’s also opposed the county line scheme since before the Senate primary,
There’s no doubt that the county line system is designed to disempower voters, who should have the opportunity to vote for the candidate who will represent their interests without party bosses deciding for them.
Abolishing it is a necessary step to defend our democracy, protect the right to vote, and ensure every voter has an equal opportunity to support candidates of their own choosing. That’s how we make progress on key issues and ensure our system of government reflects the will of the people, not just well connected insiders benefiting on the back of everyone else.
Tiffany Muller is the President of End Citizens United // Let America Vote. Brian Lemek is the Executive Director of Defend The Vote
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Andy Kim, a Democratic congressman from New Jersey, recently filed a lawsuit to ensure voter protection in the state. The lawsuit, which was filed in federal court, aims to address concerns about the upcoming election and ensure that every eligible voter has the opportunity to cast their ballot.
The lawsuit comes in response to recent changes made by the New Jersey State Legislature to the state’s election laws. These changes include expanding early voting, allowing for ballot drop boxes, and implementing a new system for verifying signatures on mail-in ballots. While these changes are intended to make voting more accessible and secure, there are concerns that they may not be implemented in time for the upcoming election.
In his lawsuit, Congressman Kim argues that these changes are necessary to protect the rights of voters in New Jersey. He points out that the state has a history of voter suppression and disenfranchisement, particularly in communities of color. By ensuring that every eligible voter has the opportunity to cast their ballot, Congressman Kim hopes to increase voter turnout and strengthen democracy in the state.
The lawsuit has already garnered support from voting rights advocates and civil rights organizations. They argue that it is crucial to protect the rights of voters, especially in light of recent efforts to restrict access to the ballot box in other states. By taking action now, Congressman Kim is sending a clear message that voter protection is a top priority in New Jersey.
Overall, Andy Kim’s lawsuit is a significant step towards ensuring voter protection in New Jersey. By challenging the state’s election laws and advocating for greater access to the ballot box, Congressman Kim is working to strengthen democracy and protect the rights of all voters in the state. With the upcoming election just around the corner, it is more important than ever to ensure that every eligible voter has the opportunity to have their voice heard.
