The deadline to file nominating petitions for the June 4 primary election is one week from today: Monday, March 25 at 4 PM.
This year’s deadline comes with considerable uncertainty over a lawsuit seeking to abolish organization lines. U.S. District Court Judge Zahid Quraishi is hearing the case this morning. If Quraishi sides with the group of plaintiffs led by U.S. Senate candidate Andy Kim, he could order the end of the line starting with this year’s primary; his decision could face an appeal that preserves lines at least for 2024.
And there is no guarantee that Quraishi will issue a ruling before filing day.
Prospective candidates who might consider running for office if the line is nullified should pick up their nominating petitions in advance. Unless Quraishi extends the filing deadline, they’re due on March 25, regardless of the lawsuit.
Petitions for President, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House of Representatives are available from the New Jersey Division of Elections and can be downloaded from their website. Senate and House petitions must be filed in Trenton; the state recommends appointments for filings, which can be made online. Candidates for President and Senate need 1,000 signatures; congressional candidates need 200.
Candidates for county office can obtain petitions from their county clerk. Some, but not all, county clerks put their petitions online. Filings are done at the county clerk’s office.
Candidates for local office, including county committee, must get their petitions from their municipal clerk. Be sure to get clarity on the number of signatures needed to get on the ballot, as this varies. Petitions should be filed with the municipal clerk.
Remember, Quraishi could issue his ruling late Friday, after county and municipal clerks have closed their offices for the weekend. If the line is ended, would-be candidates could not have access to petitions until Monday morning, with just hours to obtain and verify signatures.
There have been reports of municipal clerks asking candidates to sign out petitions, but there is no statute requiring a person who seeks to obtain a petition to disclose their identity or purpose, according to Michele Bobrowski, the president of the New Jersey Municipal Clerks Association.