Assembly Candidate Calls for Even Playing Field for All Candidates

Earlier this week, state lawmakers announced a new proposal (A5116) to redesign New Jersey’s primary ballots with special advantages for candidates endorsed by political insiders and party bosses. The legislation would allow only county-party endorsed candidates to identify as a Democrat or Republican in their slogan, allows for the grouping of candidates running for the same office, and does not allow for computerized randomization of ballot drawings, subjecting voters and candidates to potential manipulation of ballot positions.

In response to the proposed legislation, Democratic State Assembly candidate Katie Brennan releases the following statement: 

“This proposal is an insult to voters and flies in the face of a federal court’s order for fair ballots. Instead of fixing a broken system, this replaces old corrupt ballots with new corrupt ballots, and voters deserve better.

“As a proud Democrat, I should be able to run on my party’s name and values, but this legislation says I can’t — unless county party insiders give me their approval. That’s ridiculous.

“Allowing candidates to be grouped together would give them an unfair edge and recreates the same rigged system we had with the “county line.” It pressures independent candidates like me to associate with someone else just to be seen.

“Designing a fair ballot isn’t rocket science. Lawmakers need to stop protecting the status quo and start focusing on giving voters a real chance.”

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Katie Brennan is a Democratic candidate for State Assembly in Legislative District 32, covering Hoboken and parts of Jersey City. Katie testified in support of fair ballots earlier this month at a public legislative hearing on New Jersey’s ballot design.