New Jersey
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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Every year comes with its own personality, but New Jersey doesn’t wait around to see what the rest of the country decides is “in.” We move fast here. We adapt. We complain loudly — and then we make it part of our routine. Somewhere between a jughandle turn and a diner refill, 2026 developed a very Jersey personality. You may not have noticed it happening, but you’re already living it.
Here are 10 things that feel unmistakably so 2026, Garden State edition.
The way New Jersey talks now (and what it really means)
Calling every inconvenience “a situation.”
Traffic? Situation. School drop-off? Situation. The coffee machine acting up? Full-blown situation.
Quietly flexing about not pumping gas.
We don’t brag. We just casually mention it… often.
Errands, routines and the New Jersey sense of time
Planning an entire weekend around one errand.
Costco, Home Depot, or MVC — choose wisely and clear your schedule.
Checking Dan Zarrow’s forecast on the NJ101.5 app religiously.
Because if you’re going to trust the weather, it might as well be someone who knows New Jersey.
Having a “favorite small town” you don’t live in.
You’ve “been a few times.” You “get the vibe.”
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Roads, tolls and the daily traffic psychology of NJ
Treating tolls like a personal betrayal.
Every increase feels targeted, and we all do the same mental math at the booth anyway.
Explaining traffic circles and roundabouts like a survival skill.
Somehow we all know exactly what to do — except when we don’t.
Money stress, comfort food and Garden State coping mechanisms
Treating diners as emotional support buildings.
Coffee refills fix things. It’s science.
Complaining about taxes while never actually leaving.
Because deep down, we know better.
Comparing energy bills like it’s a competitive sport.
Nobody likes the numbers, but everyone wants to know if theirs is worse.
The truth is, 2026 in New Jersey isn’t about trends you see online. It’s about habits, shortcuts, shared frustrations, and small victories we all pretend are normal. And if you read this nodding along, congratulations — you’re not behind the times. You’re just right on schedule… in New Jersey.
Best New Jersey Diners For Breakfast and Lunch
Thank you to our New Jersey listeners for these recommendations.
Gallery Credit: Bill Spadea
New Jersey
Though down from previous month, New Jersey online casinos post November revenue record in 2025
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While online casinos in New Jersey fell short of another revenue record, November was still the state’s second-best month ever with over $253 million.
They’ve been around for over 12 years, yet online casinos in New Jersey continue to find ways to set revenue records. After posting the industry’s largest single-month total in October, NJ online casinos last month combined for $253 million to set a November record and ranks as the second-biggest single-month total in Garden State history.
NJ online casinos set single-year record with one month left
Since launching in 2013, NJ online casinos have continually set high-water marks – even now, a dozen years later.
With $253 million in November revenue, as reported by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, casino apps in the Garden State now sit at just over $2.64 billion for the year, leading to $455 million in state tax revenue. With one month left in 2025, the industry has already set a single-year record, which previously stood at around $2.4 billion.
To further put into perspective the growth of online gambling in New Jersey, the industry is over 22% ahead of the 11-month pace it set in 2024. Consider the first 14 months of online casinos in NJ, during which time operators combined for a mere $131.2 million in revenue.
While it’s unlikely that NJ online casinos will reach the $3 billion mark by the end of the year, iGaming has proven it can continue to grow after more than 10 years of existence.
FanDuel Casino, DraftKings Casino continue to set pace
While the monthly total is one for the books, the standard brands set themselves apart from the rest of the market.
For example, FanDuel Casino – which new users can sign up with and claim the FanDuel casino bonus – reported $60.2 million. That was well ahead of the second-place DraftKings Casino bonus, which helped drive $49.6 million in November.
Along with the BetMGM Casino app ($30.6 million), Borgata Casino ($20.6 million) and Caesars Palace Online Casino ($19.3 million), the top five revenue-earners in November accounted for more than 71% of the total online casino total in November.
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