Judge blocks ballot design in New Jersey primary

WASHINGTON — A federal judge on Friday overturned New Jersey’s county organizational line for the upcoming primary, a move that could have major implications for elections in the state.

U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi granted a request for a preliminary injunction from Democratic Rep. Andy Kim, who is running for Senate, to overhaul the state’s ballot design. The line has long given preferential ballot placement to candidates backed by powerful county organizations, making it difficult to oust incumbent lawmakers.

In his opinion, Quraishi said he recognized “the magnitude” of the decision.

“The integrity of the democratic process for a primary election is at stake and the remedy Plaintiffs are seeking is extraordinary,” Quraishi wrote in the 49-page opinion.

Kim filed the lawsuit last month when the race for the Democratic Senate nomination was more crowded. After his chief rival, New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy, dropped out of the race last Sunday, Kim appeared on track to win the nomination. Democrats Patricia Campos-Medina, a labor leader, and Lawrence Hamm, a perennial candidate, are also on the ballot for the June 4 primary.

—CQ-Roll Call

Colorado bill targets pet facilities after canine illness outbreak

DENVER — A canine respiratory disease outbreak that sickened Colorado dogs last fall is motivating state lawmakers to find a legislative fix, but some pet care facilities say the proposed bill needs a lot more clarification to work.

The bill, HB24-1354, would require licensed pet facilities to “make every reasonable attempt to notify” pet owners of an infectious disease outbreak within 24 hours of the facility learning about that outbreak.

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