STATEMENT: Gov. Carney on Gov. Markell’s Appointment as White House Operation Allies Welcome Coordinator

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Friday released the following statement on President Biden’s appointment of former Governor Jack Markell as White House Operation Allies Welcome Coordinator to oversee the resettlement of Afghan refugees in the U.S.:

“Delaware is a welcoming state – a ‘state of neighbors,’ as Governor Markell used to say. My friend and our former Governor is a great selection by President Biden to lead this incredibly important mission to resettle Afghan refugees in the U.S. These are Afghans who supported American service members over the last 20 years and are coming to America seeking better lives for their families. Delaware stands ready to support this effort in any way possible.”

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In Mock Election, Delaware Students Predict Wins for Clinton, Carney

Dover –  With Election Day just a few days away, thousands of students across Delaware made their selections known today at the 2016 Student Mock Election Convention, tallying up victories for Democrats including former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the presidential contest and Congressman John Carney in the race for Delaware governor.

mockelection_logoAfter three days of polling in more than 180 schools, delegates from up and down the First State convened in Legislative Hall to count the votes and announce their winners. In addition to Clinton and Carney, the students also chose Democrats across Delaware’s other statewide races, tapping state Sen. Bethany Hall Long for lieutenant governor, Lisa Blunt Rochester for representative in Congress, and Trinidad Navarro for insurance commissioner. (Click here for full results of the election.) Since 2010, the Student Mock Election has correctly predicted the results of 13 out of 16 statewide races in Delaware, an 81-percent accuracy rate.

“Elections are the cornerstone of our democracy and this program brings that fact to the forefront for our students at an early age, then reminds them of how important it is as they approach the age when they’ll be voting for real,” said Governor Jack Markell. “I want to thank all of our teachers for putting their time and effort into this, and especially the students from all across Delaware who cast their votes this week.”

Each election year, the Student Mock Election is conducted by teachers statewide in partnership with the Department of State, the Office of the State Elections Commissioner, the University of Delaware Democracy Project and the League of Women Voters. Coupled with lesson plans and classroom discussion about elections and the democratic process, fourth through 12th grade students were given access to a special online voting portal in their schools from Monday, Oct. 31 until the polls closed on Wednesday, Nov. 2.

“Being a good citizen means exercising your right to vote, but it also means doing your homework about the people serving in office and those who are seeking office,” said Secretary of State Jeff Bullock. “That’s the key component of the Mock Election program, not only preparing our students for the act of voting, but teaching them what it means to be voters.”

“Every election year I’m more impressed by the young people who participate in this program, and the level of awareness and intelligence they have when it comes to the election, the candidates and the issues,” said Elections Commissioner Elaine Manlove. “If this is what the next generation of voters looks like, then our country and our state will be in good hands.”

Friday’s convention also featured awards for the schools with the highest rates of voter participation: Charter School of Wilmington, Newark Charter School and Campus Community Charter School; and the most spirited student delegation: Capital School District.

 


New Site Makes Formation Easier for Small Businesses

Partnership with Delaware Libraries Makes Corporate
Filings Faster and More Accessible

Wilmington, DE – Joined by Delaware entrepreneurs and small business owners, Gov. Jack Markell today launched a new web portal to deliver online business formation and related services in support of in-state businesses.

Global Delaware, the Division of Corporations, the Division of Libraries, and public libraries across the state have teamed up with two Delaware-licensed registered agents, CT Corporation and IncNow, to make business registration available directly from the state for the first time.

imgresUntil now, Delawareans looking to form an entity directly with the state had to file through the mail or in-person at the Division of Corporations offices in Wilmington or Dover. With this new service, residents can complete the task online or at a Delaware public library with help from a librarian. This new option is quick, safe and cost-effective.

“The collaborative effort puts a terrific resource in the hands of our residents, and is exactly the direction we want to be headed in: Supporting local companies looking to create business structures that will enable expanded growth and success,” said Governor Markell.

Registration services on the Division of Libraries’ online platform have been customized for Delaware businesses, with the backing of the Division of Corporations as well as Delaware’s extensive public library network. The registration service will reside on the Delaware Libraries Entrepreneurship Community page, with other online tools and resources designed to support budding businesses.

“More than 1.2 million legal entities are incorporated in Delaware from around the world. I’m pleased that CT Corporation and IncNow took up the challenge of creating a product specifically targeted to the needs of small Delaware-based businesses,” explained Rick Geisenberger, director of the Division of Corporations. “By partnering with trusted agents and public libraries, we can further ensure that local entrepreneurs have convenient access to services they need when it comes time to start a business.”

“This partnership with Global Delaware is a great opportunity for us to add expert tools that support microbusinesses here in the State,” said State Librarian Dr. Annie Norman. “Delaware Libraries serve as a hub for connecting Delawareans with the information and resources they need to help them move forward with their plans to launch a new business.”

Librarians across the state received training on the new business registration platform in order to assist Delawareans who want to use the service. In addition, the new online service includes dedicated helplines staffed by professionals from IncNow and CT Corporation who will help walk users through the process and answer questions.

“State agencies continue to work together to help Delaware businesses become more informed, supported and competitive,” said Andrea Tinianow, director of Global Delaware. “We hope the local business community will take full advantage of this newest resource, and to let us know how else we can help.”


Gov. Markell, Former Governors and the Delaware Public Archives Celebrate Archives Month with New Election-Themed Exhibition

DOVER – In honor of Archives Month the Delaware Public Archives is unveiling a new exhibit, Delaware Votes: The History of Gubernatorial Elections in Delaware in its newly remodeled and expanded exhibition space. In addition to tracing the campaign history of Delaware governors from the 18th Century to present day, the display also highlights one of Delaware’s most iconic electoral traditions, Sussex County’s “Return Day.”

archives_logo_bigThroughout the exhibit, Delaware’s story is juxtaposed with significant events in American political history, including the ratification of the 19th and 15th Amendments, which guaranteed the right to vote to women and African American men. Come explore Delaware’s electoral history through images, documents, voting equipment, recordings, original campaign memorabilia and more.

What: Following the reading of the Archives Month Proclamation by Gov. Markell, attendees will be invited to explore the new exhibit at the Archives titled Delaware Votes: The History of Gubernatorial Elections in Delaware.

Who: Gov. Jack Markell; Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock; State Archivist Stephen Marz; former Lt. Gov. S.B. Woo; former Gov. Mike Castle; former Gov. Tom Carper; other state and local officials and members of the Archives community.

When: 2:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 17

Where: Delaware Public Archives, 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Dover


Governor Markell Orders Flags Lowered

DOVER – With the passing of former First Lady Nancy Reagan on Sunday, March 6, 2016, President Obama has ordered American flags at all government buildings and facilities be flown at half-staff beginning immediately as a mark of respect for the memory of Mrs. Reagan. In concurrence with the President’s order and in remembrance of Nancy Reagan, Governor Markell has ordered the American and Delaware flags at state buildings and facilities also be flown at half-staff beginning immediately.

The lowering of the flags also marks the passing of Former Delaware Supreme Court Justice Henry Ridgely Horsey on March 3, 2016. Justice Horsey served on the Delaware Supreme Court from 1978 to 1994. He left a successful career in private legal practice to pursue the higher calling of public service, and in addition to his work on the Supreme Court, he supported education, the environment and other causes that will leave a lasting and positive impact on our state.

Flags are to remain at half-staff until the date of interment for Mrs. Reagan. Funeral services have not yet been announced.