Sometimes, when it comes to election matters, the wheels of justice spin nonchalantly in New Jersey.
More than five months after the November general election, there is still no finality in the race for mayor of Atlantic Highlands, where just six votes separate Democrat Lori Hohenleitner and Republican James Murphy.
Hohenleitner initially led Murphy by four votes, 846-842. After a December recount, her margin expanded to six votes. Murphy challenged the election results in court, claiming that illegal votes were cast. Murphy also challenged the eligibility of twelve voters, and Hohenleitner claimed three of them ought not to be on the voter rolls.
As the certified winner, Hohenleitner took office in January.
Superior Court Judge Mara Zazzali-Hogan presided over a three-day trial in February; yesterday, she issued a ruling disqualifying six votes – three from each side.
Now the judge has set a conference on Monday to determine the next steps. That will likely include subpoenaing the six challenged voters, with Zazzali-Hogan compelling each to state who they voted for.