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Colleen O'Dea

@colleenodea.bsky.social
209 followers 93 following 154 posts

Lifelong Jersey journo, NJ Spotlight News senior writer, Bruce IS the boss, my posts are my own.

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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
As the court case over the USPS mail ballot rule continues with an unclear outcome, current concerned NJ VBM users can act: Contact your county clerk & ask to be removed from the mail-in list. Clerks' contact info: www.nj.gov/state/electi.... Act fast, as they are prepping the ballot mailing.
nj.gov
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
NJ fed judge today dismissed US DOJ's attempt to force the state to provide its unredacted voter database (with driver license numbers and partial SSNs). It's the latest in a series of losses for the Trump administration's efforts to get state voter data. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com
Opinion – #107 in United States v. CALDWELL (D.N.J., 3:26-cv-02025) – CourtListener.com
OPINION Filed. Signed by Judge Zahid N. Quraishi on 7/29/2026. (jal, ) (Entered: 07/29/2026)
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
WOW, Inside Elections just moved NJ CD7 Rep. Kean Jr. vs @rebeccabennettforcongress.com from tossup to Tilt Democratic. www.insideelections.com/ratings/house
insideelections.com
House Ratings
Inside Elections is a non-partisan newsletter covering U.S. House, Senate, and gubernatorial campaigns, Presidential politics, and political developments.
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
In NJ, it's Rebecca Bennett in CD7 & Adam Hamawy in CD12. Hamawy all but certain to win the blue district. Bennett has a tough fight ahead to unseat incumbent Republican Tom Kean Jr. In her victory speech, she called Kean a "coward." @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/06/nj-p...
njspotlightnews.org
Tom Kean gets Democratic challenger in Rebecca Bennett | NJ Spotlight News
Incumbent's 7th District race grabs national interest as GOP seeks to maintain control of Congress, and 12th District drew a dozen Democrats
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
What's better than an I voted sticker? 2 stickers! If you haven't voted yet in NJ, do it now or at least make a plan. And learn about the federal races and candidates from @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/05/hott...
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Jimmy Kimmel @jimmykimmel.com · 21/05/2026
Tonight we congratulate our friend Stephen Colbert and his writers, staff and crew for eleven years of excellence. Watch Colbert’s finale tonight, and then never watch CBS again.
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Lucky to be able to work with you, John!
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Black Intellect Media @blackintellect.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
New push to regulate artificial intelligence in NJ: Lawmaker seeks disclosures on content, would allow people to sue over misuse of voice or likeness. reporting by @colleenodea.bsky.social www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/05/new-...
njspotlightnews.org
New push to regulate artificial intelligence in NJ | NJ Spotlight News
Lawmaker seeks disclosures on content, would allow people to sue over misuse of voice or likeness
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
Tough talk from @AnaliliaForNJ in her victory speech in NJ CD 11 www.njspotlightnews.org
njspotlightnews.org
NJ Spotlight News
News, Issues and Insight for New Jersey
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
Crowd at @analiliafornj.bsky.social HQ hearing from Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, longtime union leader Hetty Rosenstein and others as they wait for the main attraction after a very early call by AP. Results: www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/04/11th...
njspotlightnews.org
11th Congressional District Special Election Results | NJ Spotlight News
Live results of the election to fill the seat vacated by Gov. Mikie Sherrill until Jan. 3.
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
There was just 1 debate. Joe Hathaway was endorsed by many Republicans & campaigned as a moderate who does not always agree with Trump. Many unions and pro-democracy orgs and Dem leaders endorsed @analiliafornj.bsky.social, a progressive who calls for abolishing ICE
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
This special election is especially relevant given the balance of power in the House. It's one of 4 open seats at a time when Republicans hold a five-vote margin.
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
NJ CD11, ~10% of registrants have voted. 61% Dem, 25% GOP, 14% Other. Early in-person done. VBMs still coming in - deadline 8 pm tomorrow (if using USPS, bring to counter for hand stamp or your vote may not count) Polls open 6 am - 8 pm tomorrow. More info: www.njspotlightnews.org/special-repo...
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
The VBM turnout alone is close to 36K, about 43% of all those who got a mail-in ballot. Overall turnout so far about 9% of about 603K registrants
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Early voting update in NJ CD 11: 54.3K total, 62% Dem, 25% GOP, 14% other Election is just two days away now. In-person early voting ends today at 8 p.m. Polls open at 6 am and close at 8 pm Thursday. More info: www.njspotlightnews.org/special-repo...
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Dan Cassino @dancassino.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
Norm in these races has been ~D+20 going into Election Day. This is looking like a blowout. Which likely helps insulate Mejia from a strong Republican challenger going forward for a while.
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
More than 50K have voted early in NJ CD11 @analiliafornj.bsky.social and Joe Hathaway 62% Dem, 24% GOP, 14% Other Still haven't voted? Check out our voter guide www.njspotlightnews.org/special-repo...
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
Today's update, thru April 9
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Latest early voting numbers, thru end of day April 8
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
Voting started in NJ CD11 special election. 66% of early voters are Dems. Updating the numbers www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/04/vote... Important points: Only those who live in CD11 and are already registered can vote. Early in-person voting ends April 14. Election Day is April 16 (6 am - 8 pm)
njspotlightnews.org
Voters choosing Sherrill replacement in 11th Congressional District | NJ Spotlight News
Registered Democrats are casting more ballots than Republicans, according to analysis of mail and early in-person returns
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
Well that didn't take long. NJ & 22 states sue Trump Admin over "unlawful Executive Order attempting to exert federal control over elections" That's the Mar. 31 EO re USPS and voting lists. NJ has been sued by feds for refusing to turn over voter rolls files.constantcontact.com/1e111cc1901/...
files.constantcontact.com
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John Reitmeyer @johnreitmeyer.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
A new report says the significant electricity rate hikes that hit consumers hard in NJ last year were mostly due to increased data center power usage and a lack of new energy sources. Reporting by @colleenodea.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org.
njspotlightnews.org
Regulate data centers to prevent higher power rates, report urges | NJ Spotlight News
'Hidden costs' run from few permanent jobs to more pollution, policy group says, and New Jersey in a position to shape regional standards
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
The Trump administration is building a national detention and deportation machine, including in New Jersey. My colleagues (like Colleen) and I at @njspotlightnews.org are all over this topic ---> #ICE #deportation
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Brenda Flanagan @bflanagannj.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
From @colleenodea.bsky.social: Immigrant-protection bills head to Sherrill after fierce debate www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/03/immi...
njspotlightnews.org
Immigrant-protection bills head to Sherrill after fierce debate | NJ Spotlight News
'Direct attack on law enforcement,' one Republican says, while Democrats hail push against federal policies
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Carrie Brown @brizzyc.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
"For a bit more than two weeks of this war, we could offer free college education to every American family earning less than $125,000 annually" www.nytimes.com/2026/03/21/o... by @nickkristof.bsky.social
nytimes.com
Opinion | The $1.3-Million-a-Minute War
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
By not consulting with Roxbury or considering the views of opponents, who have been attending regular Roxbury council meetings for months, “the federal government has ignored its own regulations, which require open communication with states and local government,” Davenport said.
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
NJ AG Davenport: Trump administration failed to meet federal standards requiring govt to assess & mitigate local environmental harms in cooperation with state & local govt. NEPA requires the govt to, at minimum, issue an environmental assessment of the property. It was not done.
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
After rumors swirled for three month about ICE’s interest in the site, DHS bought the vacant three-year old warehouse last month for $129 million, more than twice its assessed value. At no point before the sale did federal officials consult with township officials.
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
NJ and Roxbury sue feds over planned immigrant detention center. From Gov. Mikie Sherrill: “The administration may think it's above the law, but it will soon find out that that is not the case.” @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/03/new-...
njspotlightnews.org
New Jersey, Roxbury sue to block ICE plan for detention center | NJ Spotlight News
Similar litigation in Maryland, where federal judge extended injunction holding up a similarly sized project
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Many people also criticized Roxbury attorney and NJ Senator Bucco of at least the potential for a conflict of interest based on his actions re immigration as a senator Bucco stongly denied that. www.insidernj.com/ice-saga-put...
insidernj.com
ICE Saga Putting Heat on Tony Bucco - Insider NJ
The Ice saga continues, with the latest target being New Jersey's top Republican - Anthony M. Bucco, the Senate Minority Leader.
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
DHS paid more than 2x the assessed value of a Roxbury warehouse for ICE detention. Twp conferring with NJ AG over possible suit. @NJSpotlightNews.com www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/02/resi...
njspotlightnews.org
Residents press Roxbury to fight harder against latest ICE immigrant detention facility | NJ Spotlight News
Town joins others looking to fight Trump mass deportation plans
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Thanks. I think the township is exploring a challenge based on NEPA
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
@lohplaces.bsky.social A colleague heard you speak at a conference & thought you might be a good source for a story about the DHS purchase of a warehouse in NJ for an ICE facility. What, if anything, can the town do to stop or limit this site? Does federal property supersede local zoning laws? Tnx
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
NJ starting to fall in line behind Mejia in NJ CD11 but for some it's only for the special primary
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
In NJ CD11, Analilia Mejia's lead increased again with update today, now up 889 over Tom Malinowski. Counties reporting 3,195 VBM and provisional ballots to count. Malinowski would have to win ~64% of those to win the seat.
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
Looking harder for @tommalinowski.bsky.social with each update in NJ CD 11. @analiliafornj.bsky.social now leads by 868, 1.4 pct
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
It sure looks that way
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
That process ends Feb. 17. Provisional ballots are the last ones to be counted, typically at the end of the process.
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
If the race tightens or whoever is behind at that point still thinks there enough votes to win, the wait continues through the ballot cure process. People whose ballots were deemed faulty largely due to a signature mismatch can submit a form asserting they did vote the ballot.
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
There were 1,131 VBMs to process in Essex as of yesterday. It’s unclear how many of those may have been counted today. This could drag on to Feb. 11 or later. Feb. 11 is the last date that late-arriving VBMs with a timely cancellation can be counted.
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
Update on NJ CD 11. Mejia pulled further ahead of Malinowski, now leads by 676 votes, 1.1%, according to latest AP results. Mejia 28.9% to Malinowski 27.8%. The daily report from Morris County, the only one to put out an update thus far, shows 440 mail-in ballots to process and 694 provisionals.
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
For more on where things stand in special NJ CD 11 primary, from @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/02/poll...
njspotlightnews.org
No winner yet in NJ District 11 special primary election | NJ Spotlight News
As of Thursday night, progressive activist Analilia Mejia led former Rep. Tom Malinowski by less than 1%
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
Wow what a night in NJ CD 11. Malinowski not ready to concede, but the progressive Mejia has the lead. It could take a while for a final decision
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
All voting details at www.njspotlightnews.org/nj-decides-2.... As of end of day Tues, 34K had voted. 83% Dems. A few hundred more early votes cast in Essex than Morris. Will that help Gill? Find live results Thurs night on NJ Spotlight News site.
njspotlightnews.org
NJ Decides 2026 - NJ Spotlight News
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
13 names on ballot, but looks like a race between former Rep. Tom Malinowski and Essex Co Commissioner Brendan Gill. Or will VT Sen. Bernie Sanders help Analilia Mejia win? With 13 names on the ballot, someone could win with less than 10% of vote.
njspotlightnews.org
NJ Decides 2026 - NJ Spotlight News
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
If you are planning to vote by mail, use aropbox or make sure to get the ballot stamped at the postal counter, because changes in USPS regulations might mean it won't get stamped on election day, and then it might not get counted.
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
If you live in NJ's 11th Congressional District, get ready to vote Thursday! It's rare that congressional seats open and Democrats in particular have quite a large choice of candidates. Polls are open from 6 AM to 8 PM, probably in your usual voting location.
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
More than 27K have voted early in CD11 special primary. 22K+ Dems. 320 more Dems from Essex than Morris so maybe a small edge to Gill, tho everyone could be voting for Mejia. Final turnout is all that matters
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
~17K VBMs, 80% Dems in NJ CD11. U can put ballot in drop box up til 8 pm on E-day THURS, Feb. 5 or get it postmarked. BUT with USPS change, if you are mailing at last minute, don't use a mailbox. Go to window and ask clerk to hand-cancel so vote will count. Dropbox info: www.nj.gov/state/electi...
nj.gov
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
A few things to note re NJ CD11: Lots of $ being spent -- $7.1 million as of 2 days ago, with a majority coming from super PACs & dark money. Early in person voting started today, continues daily thru Tues 10am-8pm except Sun when polls close at 6. Find sites here: www.nj.gov/state/electi...
nj.gov
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