Ballou v. State, Department of Civil Service

This case raises the issue of whether the preference accorded veterans under the State’s civil service laws is unconstitutional. The attack is brought by Ruth Ballou, who was denied a permanent civil service appointment to the position of Coordinator of Federal and Local Programs in the Division of Consumer Affairs, despite the fact that she achieved the highest grade (99.999) among competing applicants on a Civil Service examination for that position. Appointment to the position went to the second highest applicant with a grade of 82.500. His appointment was automatic under N. J. 8. A.…