News Organizations Win Ruling Against NJ Exit Poll Ban

The National Election Pool — a consortium that includes The Associated Press, CNN, Fox, ABC, NBC and CBS — has just won a ruling in New Jersey against an attempted exit poll ban.

The Judge ruled late Friday in favor of the NEP and granted its motion for a preliminary injunction, allowing the networks to continue to conduct exit polling within 100 feet of the polling place.

"We are extremely pleased with Judge Sheridan's decision today affirming our clients' First Amendment right to conduct exit polling within 100 feet of polling places in the State of New Jersey," said Susan Buckley, the Attorney for the National Election Pool. "By permitting these important newsgathering activities to continue, Judge Sheridan has ensured that the public will continue to receive the timely and valuable information gathered from exit polls."

A NJ State Supreme Court ruling last month barred exit polling and all "expressive activity" within 100 feet of a polling place.

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