A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting the use of New Jersey’s “county line” ballot, a highly consequential ruling that could significantly reshape the state’s political system.

U.S. District Judge Zahid Quraishi issued the order on Friday, ruling that Rep. Andy Kim's (D-N.J.) lawsuit arguing the system used in 19 of New Jersey’s 21 counties to decide where a candidate’s name is placed on a ballot is undemocratic and unconstitutional is likely to succeed on its merits.

The order will require a different structure to be used for the ballot in the state’s June 4 primary after decades of party bosses having significant influence in deciding nominees.

The ruling is a big win for Kim, who sued along with a couple other congressional candidates last month, as he has sought to buck the establishment as he runs for Senate.

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