Carl Lewis ballot removal cost taxpayers $78,000

    Carl Lewis’ five-month battle to get himself a spot on New Jersey’s Senate ballot ended last week, but the effects will linger.

    The mess cost taxpayers nearly $78,000.

    The Star-Ledger obtained records detailing efforts by both parties to either keep the Olympian off the ballot or let him stay. It began in the spring when, after Lewis announced his candidacy, Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno said he didn’t meet the four-year residency requirement to run.

    Seven attorneys from the state Division of Law worked a combined 530 hours on the case, records show, and the Burlington County Clerk estimates it would cost Democrats $15,000 to $20,000 to print new ballots with another name.

    • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

    WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

    Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

    Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal