PRINCETON — The Good Government Coalition of New Jersey (GGCNJ) is announcing its first endorsements for the 2020 elections: Herb Tarbous and Sean Smith for offices of County Clerk in Middlesex and Union Counties, respectively.

Herb Tarbous is running for County Clerk in Middlesex County to ensure that all candidates for office in primary elections have a fair shot at winning, and ballot design does not manipulate the vote. He promises to work together with candidates and voters to make voting easy and accessible. Tarbous is a long-term champion of fair ballots and dismantling mechanisms that concentrate power in the hands of a few.

Tarbous says he is “absolutely committed to democratic elections that will enable everyday grassroots people to compete for elected office.” For more information see www.ggcnj.org/Tarbous2020.

Sean Smith is running for County Clerk in Union County with one main campaign promise: to abolish the county line on the primary election ballot, so that voters decide who to vote for based on candidates’ platform, not preferential ballot placement. As a long-time Union County resident, Smith says he is “running for Clerk to reform our current undemocratic ballot and help bring some democracy back to the people of Union County! Together we will abolish the line!”

For more information see www.ggcnj.org/Smith2020.

The county line, which is used in New Jersey’s primary (within-party) election ballots, is widely considered undemocratic and misleading. As a result of the line, New Jersey ballots are extremely varied and confusing, with placement of candidates on or off the line likely influencing their election outcomes.

The GGCNJ enthusiastically endorses Herb Tarbous and Sean Smith in their bid to adopt clearer and fairer ballots in their counties.

The GGCNJ is a nonpartisan, grassroots group whose mission is to strengthen democracy by working with residents across our state to bring greater transparency, accountability, and participation to our state and local governments. In the 2020 election, GGCNJ is endorsing candidates for county-level offices that have substantial good-government implications (County Clerk, Freeholder and County Chair).

Endorsements are determined based on responses to a 10-point pledge, and multiple candidates for a given position may receive GGCNJ endorsements. To be considered for an endorsement, email
contact@ggcnj.org.