“The Worst Designed Ballot In The Nation”

New Jersey: Home of The Sopranos, rampant corruption, and THE Worst-Designed Ballot in the Nation.

The Democrat and Republican parties have maintained their iron grip on power in the state, and corruption, from the townships all the way to the state house, is a way of life.

New Jersey will hold a gubernatorial election this coming November. In addition to the two-party duopoly candidates, ten names will appear on the ballot for governor.

One, Independent Christopher Dagget, has stunned the opposition by polling double digits in the race.

Now, Ballot Access News is reporting that Dagget and Libertarian Candidate Kenneth Kaplan have filed a joint lawsuit against the state, challenging the way candidates are placed on the ballot.

In New Jersey, almost all of the counties print party column headings in large print, that say “Democratic”, “Republican”, and “Nomination by Petition.” All the non-major party candidates are squeezed into the “Nomination by Petition” column. For the 2009 gubernatorial election, that means that TEN names will be squeezed together in a column.

The lawsuit filed by Dagget and Kaplan requests that the Democrat and Republican parties not automatically have the top columns on the ballot, and asks county clerks to draw lots to determine the ballot order. Unfortunately, a state court judge has already indicated that the lawsuit will not be decided in time for the election.

In addition to Democrat Incumbent Jon Corzine and Republican nominee Chris Christie, the following candidates will appear on the ballot for Governor in New Jersey:

Jason Cullen, of Riverdale – (People Not Politics)
Chris Dagget of Bernards – (Independent)
Kenneth Kaplan -(Libertarian)
Joshua Leinsdorf of Princeton – (Fair Election Party)
Alvin Lindsay, Jr. of Sewell – (Lindsay for Governor)
David R. Meiswinkle of East Windsor – (Middle Class Empowerment)
Greg Pason -(Socialist Party USA)
Kostas Petris of Trenton – (For The People)
Gary T. Steele of Kinnelon – (Leadership, Independence, Vision)
Gary Stein of Mullica -(Stien For Governor)

The Free & Equal Elections Foundation supports the efforts of candidates to ensure that the New Jersey ballot is redesigned to not discriminate against Independent and Third Party candidates.

Free & Equal does not endorse any candidates for office.