For the first time in decades, New Jersey candidates are no longer required to secure endorsements from county parties to compete effectively in their primaries. This shift has also led to a remarkable situation where New Jersey is witnessing a competitive gubernatorial primary for the first time in nearly a century.
Traditionally, 19 of New Jersey’s 21 counties utilized the “county-line” ballot system, which favored party-backed candidates by placing them in a prominent row or column on the ballot. Candidates not receiving these endorsements were often relegated to what some referred to as “ballot Siberia,” significantly diminishing their electoral chances. Research from Rutgers University highlighted the impact of this system, noting that it effectively marginalized those without party backing.
The change in the ballot system was catalyzed by a legal challenge from now-Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) against 19 county clerks during the 2024 Senate primary. A temporary court order issued in April 2024 suspended the use of the county line. It was revealed that the county line was not mandated by state law or the constitution, but rather was a decision made by county officials each election cycle.
Following this, most county clerks settled the lawsuit and agreed to eliminate the county line from their ballots, although Bergen and Union counties resisted this shift and continued legal battles. In March, Governor Phil Murphy (D-NJ) signed legislation to formalize the end of the county line system, with advocates expressing optimism about a fairer election process.
As a result of these changes, the Democratic race for governor is heating up, with Rep. Mikie Sherrill emerging as a front-runner based on internal polling, despite challenges from Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. Sherrill has received backing from influential Democratic organizations, making her a strong candidate in this new open primary environment.
On the Republican side, former state Representative Jack Ciattarelli appears to be the leading candidate. He previously ran for governor in 2021, becoming a formidable opponent, and has received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, boosting his campaign’s profile. Ciattarelli’s bid is receiving support from county Republican parties across the state, making for an intriguing primary race ahead.
This transformation in New Jersey’s primary election landscape signals a potentially fairer system for candidates, allowing voters to have more diverse choices at the polls. With competitive races emerging on both sides, the 2025 gubernatorial election in New Jersey is set to be one of significant interest and potential for change.