September 12, 2024
NEWARK – In response to news that the plaintiffs in Conforti v. Hanlon have reached a settlement with the Burlington County Clerk, Middlesex County Clerk and Middlesex County Democratic Organization, the following can be attributed to the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, and its clients League of Women Voters of New Jersey and Salvation and Social Justice (collectively, the “Advocates”):
“We are one step closer to forever ridding ourselves of the undemocratic ‘County Line,’ a blight on our democracy which has diluted our votes and disempowered the voices of Black and other voters of color for far too long. Today’s settlement means that we’re nearer than ever to putting power back in the hands of the people, where it belongs.”
The Advocates filed an amicus curiae brief in 2021 opposing defendants’ motion to dismiss the Conforti lawsuit, which challenges New Jersey’s use of “the line” and other misleading features in its ballot design. Campaign Legal Center was Co-Counsel on the case.
Advocates (in addition to other partners) also filed an amicus curiae brief earlier this year in Kim v. Hanlon, a case challenging New Jersey’s use of the unconstitutional and discriminatory county line on its primary ballots.
The Court in Kim v. Hanlon granted the plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction – barring use of the county line in the June primary election – and ordered counties to use the fairer and more commonly used “office block” design on their ballots. The Third Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed that decision.
###