FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: STATEMENT FROM COUNCILPERSON EMILY JABBOUR ON HOBOKEN CITY COUNCIL’S URGING OF NJ CLERKS TO WITHDRAW FROM COUNTY LINE APPEAL

April 3, 2024

This Wednesday, April 3, the Hoboken City Council unanimously adopted a resolution to urge all remaining County Clerks from across the State of New Jersey to drop the appeal of today’s injunction regarding county lines for the June Democratic primary.

Emily Jabbour, Councilperson-at-Large for the City of Hoboken, and co-sponsor of the resolution, comments: “The abolishment of the line is a significant change in the universe of New Jersey politics, giving power back to the people. This change will help level the playing field – especially for female candidates, minority candidates, and working class representatives who’ve had to work twice as hard to fight against preferential treatment on the ballot. But, our work isn’t done yet. I urge in the strongest of terms the remaining County Clerks to drop their appeal and continued defense of the undemocratic ‘line.’  Thank you to Hudson County Clerk E. Junior Maldonado for doing what is right for Hudson County voters – it is now time for all County Clerks to follow this strong example.”

On March 14, Councilmember Jabbour joined 37 other electeds and former candidates calling for the end of the county organizational lines.

Today, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the appeal from New Jersey county clerks to suspend the abolishment of the line. An additional appeal by the clerks will be heard on April 12.

Continued appeals by clerks would represent a wasteful expenditure of taxpayer funds, diverting resources from pressing needs such as immediate ballot redesign and voter education, while disregarding the will of New Jersey voters and the consensus among good-government groups that the Line System infringes upon democratic rights. Extensive social sciences research has demonstrated that the use of the “Line System” confers an exceptional electoral advantage in primary elections, effectively guaranteeing victory for those candidates endorsed by select County political party leaders, thereby often securing success in subsequent general elections.