Elections provide some of the most fascinating legal issues at Howes & Howes. Election cases are usually high profile and fast moving. There are several election cycles throughout the year, and each cycle tends to produce interesting cases, many of which we become involved in. Generally speaking, the “seasons” of New Jersey elections are as follows:
Spring
March: Filing deadlines for non-partisan municipal races. These deadlines often produce petition challenges and ballot design (bracketing) issues.
April: 1.) Filing deadlines for party primaries. These deadlines often produce petition challenges and bracketing issues. 2.) School board elections. There is usually a school board or budget election that is close enough for a recount or election contest.
May: Non-partisan municipal elections. There is often an election close enough for a recount and/or a contest.
June: 1.) Party primaries. Occasionally there is a primary close enough for a recount and/or a contest. 2.) Filing deadlines for independent candidates. Independents often draw challenges to the sufficiency of their nominating petitions after the filing deadline.
