Politics & Government

Lt. Governor Upholds Judge's Decision on Obama's Eligibility

President Barack Obama has officially been listed as a candidate on New Jersey's primary ballot.

An administrative law judge's ruling that President Barack Obama is eligible to appear on New Jersey's upcoming primary ballot was upheld by Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno, a spokesman for New Jersey's Division of Elections said early Friday afternoon.

Spokesman Shawn Crisafulli said in an email that all candidates for all offices, including the President of the United States, have now been officially certified and sent to the countries per statute.

Attorney Mario Apuzzo, representing , challenged Obama's placement on the June 5 primary ballot on the basis that the president is not a natural born United States citizen and that a birth certificate released last April by the White House was fraudulent.

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Administrative Law Judge Jeff Masin determined that the challenge was not valid. His decision was not based on Obama's birth, but rather on his placement on the state's ballot. As president, Obama's name automatically appears on the ballot without his consent. Thus Obama cannot be held responsible for his own eligibility.

Apuzzo, who was not immediately available for comment Friday afternoon, has vowed to fight the decision saying he'll go as far as the U.S. Supreme Court if he has to.

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