New Jersey State Trial Court Says Parties Cannot Nominate a Member of Another Party Using Write-ins in Primary

On August 5, a New Jersey state trial court ruled that Bryan Lasater can’t be the Republican nominee for a seat on the Burlington Township Council, even though he won the Republican primary on write-ins.  Lasater was a registered Democrat on election day (which was June 2, 2026) but he has since re-registered as a Republican.

New Jersey law does not say that a write-in winner in a primary can be disqualified on the basis of his or her party membership.  It is common in other states to allow the practice.  In Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, it is fairly common for write-in candidates to win party nominations, even though the winner is not a registered member of the party.  That is how those four states have limited versions of fusion.

See this story.


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