New Jersey

In New Jersey, it’s the end of the line for old school ballot system

Published

2 years ago

September 14, 2024

In New Jersey, it’s the end of the line for old school ballot system

New Jersey’s county line — a ballot system that gives party-backed candidates a leg up in primaries — is headed for the trash bin of history following a partial settlement in the legal challenge to the system.

“We think and we hope that the line is dead – that there won’t be any more monkeying around with ballots by anyone in the state,” said Yael Bromberg, a lawyer for the plaintiffs.

U.S. District Court Judge Zayid Quraishi accepted the terms of a settlement between the clerks of Burlington and Middlesex counties, as well as the Middlesex County Democratic Organization. The two counties have agreed to design primary ballots by grouping all candidates for one office together.

Until this year, 17 counties in New Jersey placed primary candidates that were endorsed by their county party organization in one line, which research shows gives an advantage to those candidates by signaling to voters that they are the legitimate party candidates. Several candidates filed a lawsuit to challenge the county line, and in March, Rep. Andy Kim successfully obtained a temporary injunction to stop the use of the line in his Senate race against first lady Tammy Murphy.

Now, even if the remaining 15 counties do not quickly settle, any candidate who wants to stop the use of the line could return to court and likely receive another temporary injunction.

“I don’t think the public will have it anymore and I don’t think the courts will have it either,” Bromberg said.

Gov. Phil Murphy said on WNYC’s “Ask Governor Murphy” on Thursday that he still supports the system, but suggested the effect on candidates would not be dramatic.

“I continue to think that party organizations – the ones that are well run, and we have a lot of them in counties in this state – have a lot more going for them in terms of their assets, if you will, than ballot construction,” Murphy said. “It likely will have an impact, but there are a whole lot of other elements at play.”

County party organizations not only endorse candidates, but they raise money, put out lawn signs and run get-out-the-vote operations. In many counties, that support is determined by party bosses, not by a vote of party delegates.

The boss-based system hearkens back to the days of Frank Hague, the infamous Jersey City mayor who was able to control virtually all of state government through his Hudson County machine.

New Jersey Working Families Alliance was also party to the lawsuit and its director, Antoinette Miles, hailed the settlements as the beginning of the end of a “corrupt county line system.”

”They’re an important step in the fight to end New Jersey’s unconstitutional primary ballot by putting voters in charge of who represents them and cementing long-term reforms to our electoral process,” Miles said in a written statement.

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New Jersey

More than 46,000 fentanyl pills seized in New Jersey in just 30 days

Published

6 hours ago

March 21, 2026

Press Room

More than 46,000 fentanyl pills seized in New Jersey in just 30 days

More than 57 million deadly doses of fentanyl have been seized through the United States in just 30 days, including 46,000 in New Jersey.

The seizures were made in the second phase of Operation Fentanyl Free America, led by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

The second phase of Operation Fentanyl Free America took place between Jan. 12 and Feb. 10 with the seizure of more than 4.7 million fentanyl pills and nearly 2,396 pounds of fentanyl powder. The 30-day enforcement effort led to more than 3,000 arrests across the U.S., and the removal of more than 57 million potentially lethal doses of fentanyl from circulation.

“Families across America are losing loved ones to the fentanyl being pushed by drug cartels that care only about making a profit. The DEA is attacking this threat with unwavering determination to protect our communities,” said DEA New Jersey Field Division Special Agent in Charge Towanda R. Thorne-James in a news release. “Phase II of this operation saw the men and women of DEA in New Jersey seize more than 46,000 fentanyl pills, 18 guns, almost $250,000.00 in drug money, and make 37 arrests. We will continue to work to stop this threat and make saving lives our top priority.”

DEA agents also recovered 147,797 pounds of cocaine, nearly 21,000 pounds of methamphetamine, more than 26 million methamphetamine pills, 1,183 pounds of heroin, 65,000 pounds of illicit marijuana, more than 1,500 firearms, and made more than 3,000 arrests.

The DEA launched the Fentanyl Free America initiative in October. The campaign targets enforcement operations on illicit drug networks, ensuring DEA registrants are working within the closed system of distribution, and increasing public awareness to reduce both the supply and demand of illicit drugs. This was the second targeted enforcement operation under the initiative.

The DEA New York Task Force also removed 60,000 fentanyl pills from circulation following the arrest of a cartel-linked distributor.

For more information on the DEA, visit www.dea.gov.

Email: bwadlow@MyCentralJersey.com

This story was created by reporter Brad Wadlow, bwadlow@usatodayco.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more.

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New Jersey

Lacey fatal police shooting: Victim, officer identified

Published

18 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Press Room

Lacey fatal police shooting: Victim, officer identified

TRENTON — Authorities have identified the Lacey woman who died after authorities said she was shot by a township police officer during a 911 call to her home early Monday morning.

Susanne Clarke, 55, of the Lanoka Harbor section, was killed during an encounter with Lacey Township Police Officer Dallas Gant outside the house on Hemlock Drive in the Lanoka Harbor section, according to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability.

The initial findings indicate that officers were dispatched to the residence, which is near the intersection of Birch Road, shortly after 2 a.m. on Monday, March 16 following a 911 call for a “medical event.”

About 2:44 a.m., Gant fired his service weapon, striking Clarke. She was pronounced dead at the scene at 3:24 a.m.

A knife was recovered outside the home. The statement did not say whether the woman was brandishing or wielding it.

An obituary for Clarke from the Rezem Funeral Home in East Brunswick described her as a loving mother of two children, a devoted daughter and cherished friend with a passion for animals. She had been working on starting her own dog treat business had just passed an exam to become a licensed optician.

The obituary said she had been born in New Brunswick and spent many years in Chesterfield where she raised her children. She had recently moved to Lacey to enjoy life closer to the beach, the death notice said.

One officer was treated during the incident for injuries that were not life-threatening at a local hospital, authorities said. Several officers who were also on the scene were not injured, according to the Lacey Township Police Department.

The state Attorney General’s Office investigates all deaths that occur during encounters with law enforcement or while they are in custody. These cases must be presented to a grand jury.

Contact Asbury Park Press reporter Erik Larsen at elarsen@gannettnj.com.

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New Jersey

Here’s what Mahwah residents can expect during property reassessment

Published

1 day ago

March 20, 2026

Press Room

Here’s what Mahwah residents can expect during property reassessment

MAHWAH — What can residents expect during the township’s property revaluation and reassessment process?

They can expect to see inspectors measuring the exterior of the home and property, followed by a request to inspect the interior.

This and more information, along with a question-and-answer period, will be held at a public information session at the start of the next council meeting on March 23.

“Officials will provide an overview of the revaluation program, including inspection procedures, valuation methods, timelines and opportunities for questions,” said Township Business Administrator Ben Kezmarsky.

As directed by the Bergen County Board of Taxation and the New Jersey Division of Taxation, the township is reevaluating all taxable real estate for the 2027 tax year to ensure uniform and equitable assessments. The last time the township conducted the process was in 2011.

The assessment or revaluation findings will be used to determine the value of each property and, therefore, the taxes each owner will have to pay to the city and county in the future.

The average Mahwah property tax bill for 2024, the latest figure available from the state, was $9,961.

Appraisal Systems, Inc. will assist in conducting the reassessment. Representatives will be available at the meeting to explain the process and answer public questions.

In theory, once an assessment is conducted, all properties are at 100% of market value. But outcomes vary. Over the years, as real estate prices increase or decrease, the assessment is no longer at fair market value.

What’s the first step in the revaluation?

The first step is the inspection of all properties. In the coming months, inspectors from Appraisal Systems, Inc. will visit all properties, measuring and photographing the exteriors of all buildings and inspecting the interiors.

A representative will ask to examine the interior of all taxable properties. The first inspector visit will be between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. If owners are not present at the first visit, the inspector will focus on the exterior and leave a card with a return date. The notice will have a phone number to reschedule the appointment if necessary.

Contactless interior inspections using a video conference will be available at the request of the property owner, according to the municipal website.

Appraisal Systems, Inc., representatives will carry photo identification with their names registered with the police department and the clerk’s office. Do not allow anyone to enter without proper identification.

The inspector will ask owners to sign the field form to acknowledge when an interior inspection is made.

More information

Advance questions can also be emailed to Kezmarsky before the meeting at kezmarsky@mahwahtwp.org.

Residents and property owners can attend the meeting in person starting at 7 p.m. on March 23 at Township Hall, 475 Corporate Drive. The meeting can also be viewed remotely via connections on the township website, mahwahtwp.org. Video of the meeting will be posted for later viewing.

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