The New Jersey congressman who upended the state’s political system by challenging county party organization lines in federal court today praised Democratic leaders in Middlesex and Burlington counties proposing a settlement of a lawsuit by becoming the first counties in the state to agree to permanently use office block ballots in primary elections.
Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown) convinced U.S. District Court Judge Zahid Quraishi to ban lines in the June Democratic primary, where he was a candidate for U.S. Senate.
“New Jersey voters deserve a fair ballot, and I won’t stop fighting until we get one. While the court considers the proposed settlement agreements filed today, I’m hopeful this will spark momentum to get all counties to permanently abide by the historic ruling made by the Federal District Court in New Jersey and upheld by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals,” Kim said. “We are building a new era of politics in New Jersey.”
The Burlington County Board of Commissioners voted last night to settle the lawsuit and will participate in a financial settlement.
On August 28, the New Jersey Globe was first to report that Middlesex would drop out of the lawsuit, Conforti v. Hanlon, and settle the case.