House candidate Sue Altman faced a challenge from rivals who claimed hundreds of signatures on her nominating petitions were invalid. (Photo by Dana DiFilippo/New Jersey Monitor)
New Jersey Secretary of State Dale Caldwell certified an administrative law judge’s decision that congressional candidate Sue Altman’s name can appear on the June ballot in the 12th District House race.
Caldwell even restored 83 of the signatures on Altman’s nominating petition that Judge Michael Stanzione had declared invalid. Stanzione had said Princeton University students registered to vote in other states were not eligible to collect signatures to help Altman get on the ballot, but Caldwell said they can in a Wednesday order.
“We went to bat to make sure our student volunteers, and all students this cycle and in the future, have the chance to participate in democracy. I’m thrilled at this outcome, though not surprised, and look forward to working with our student volunteers to win this race!” Altman said on social media.
The news was first reported by the New Jersey Globe.
Altman, a progressive activist and former aide to U.S. Sen. Andy Kim, is one 13 Democrats vying for the party’s nomination to succeed a retiring Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D).
Her spot on the June 2 primary ballot was challenged by people connected to some of her rivals, but Stanzione’s Tuesday ruling and Caldwell’s subsequent order says she cleared the 500-signature threshold to run in the primary. Stanzione’s ruling says Altman collected 664 valid signatures, while Caldwell’s opinion states that final number is 712.
Stanzione cited a state law barring out-of-state petition circulators, but Caldwell said a federal case related to the 2020 presidential election determined that law to be unconstitutional.
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