NJ 21st would like to acknowledge the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice for its leadership and dedication to advancing electoral fairness in New Jersey.

We have joined a coalition of organizations in calling for a conditional veto of A5116/S4142, a bill that proposes changes to New Jersey’s primary ballot design. While the bill represents a step forward from the previous county line system, it falls short of ensuring a fully fair and impartial ballot for New Jersey voters.

The primary ballot in New Jersey has long been criticized for fostering voter disillusionment, discouraging turnout, and undermining faith in the democratic process. The county line system, which concentrated power in the hands of party insiders, often left voters feeling that their choices were predetermined rather than reflective of their will.

This disillusionment has contributed to declining voter participation, with primary election turnout dropping from 25% in 2016 to just 14% in 2024, despite a high-stakes presidential election cycle.

The recent court rulings in Kim v. Hanlon have opened the door for New Jersey to adopt a fairer ballot design. However, instead of seizing this opportunity to create a truly voter-friendly system, the Legislature has fast-tracked A5116/S4142, which retains elements of the flawed county line system and introduces new complications.

Among the problematic aspects of the bill are:

• Mini-bracketing of joint petition candidates that mirrors county line bracketing, perpetuating the ability of party insiders to influence voter choice.
• An outdated manual draw system that lacks transparency and modernization.
• The introduction of number-letter markers that can create unnecessary bias and confusion for voters.
• The removal of voter ability to elect state committee members, reducing democratic accountability within parties.
• Lack of uniformity in font and formatting requirements, which can lead to inconsistencies that affect voter perception and ease of use.

NJ 21st and and 78 other organizations firmly believe that New Jersey should prioritize a ballot design that empowers voters rather than one that allows political parties to manipulate electoral outcomes. The job of incumbent candidates is to engage their constituents, not rely on ballot design to maintain their positions.

The coalition urges Governor Phil Murphy to issue a conditional veto of A5116/S4142, striking the provisions that allow for joint petition bracketing and number-letter markers, reinstating voter rights to elect state committee members, and ensuring uniformity in ballot design. These amendments would create a more neutral, fair, and voter-centric ballot, addressing the deep-rooted issues of voter alienation and declining participation.

NJ 21st stands firm in its commitment to advocating for a ballot that serves the people, ensuring every voter has an equal and uninfluenced voice in the electoral process.

Link to Letter from NJISJ

Read More on State Matters

Subscribe to NJ21st For Free