According to Julia Sass Rubin, professor of public policy at Rutgers University, who gave a presentation to the commission, candidates on the “county line,” which is the column for candidates endorsed by the local Democratic or Republican party committees, have an advantage in party primary elections because voters often recognize the candidate leading the top of the county line and vote for the other candidates in the same column down the ballot.
“Being on the county line translates into a substantial electoral advantage,” she said. “No (state legislative) incumbent who was on the county line has lost a primary for the last 12 years.”