Senate candidate Andy Kim called the settlements “the start of a new era of politics.” The county line system allowed party leaders to select a slate of candidates with preferred ballot positions.

Two New Jersey counties are on the verge of settling a constitutional challenge to New Jersey’s controversial “county line” ballot structure after a three-and-a-half year legal battle, according to two people with knowledge of the talks.

ending the two counties’ fights over the future of the county line — a ballot design, unique to New Jersey, that groups candidates by slogan and which critics say gives party-backed candidates an unfair advantage at the polls. “New Jersey voters ...

The agreement, which must win a judge's approval, would require office-block ballots and prevent bracketing from determining ballot positions