Another Hurdle To End NJ's Controversial Ballot Design: Reports

NEW JERSEY — A potential threat to a New Jersey judge's decision to eliminate the state's "county line" ballot design was denied by the judge himself Monday, according to multiple reports.

U.S. District Court Judge Zahid Quraishi received a request from county clerks to halt the decision, which would end the longtime design that gives county parties preferential placement on primary ballots in this year's Democratic primary, NJ.com reported.

Quraishi denied the request, saying that the "defendants do not raise any new facts or laws suggesting their appeal is likely to succeed on its merits." But the ruling is still facing an appeal, according to the outlet.

Days earlier, the judge granted an injunction against the system that came with a lawsuit filed by U.S. Rep. Andy Kim — who is running for Senate — meaning that the controversial ballot design will not be used for the June 4 Democratic primary and that candidates will instead be grouped by office.

New Jersey — except Salem and Sussex counties — is an anomaly with its use of the county line ballot design, with the office grouping being used on ballots in the 49 other states, NorthJersey.com noted.

"The integrity of the democratic process for a primary election is at stake," Quraishi said, according to the outlet.

The issue is now in the appeals court's hands, NJ.com reported.