Governor Carney Signs Vote By Mail Legislation

House Bill 346 creates safe, more direct alternative to in-person voting due to COVID-19

WILMINGTON, Del.  – Governor John Carney on Wednesday signed into law House Bill 346, legislation sponsored by House Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst that allows Delawareans to vote by mail in the 2020 primary, general and special elections. House Bill 346 makes voting by mail an alternative to in-person voting due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and establishes procedures for voting by mail which mirror the procedures for absentee voting. Voting by mail does not replace in-person voting, which will be available for those not voting by absentee or mail ballot.

Watch video of bill signing on Facebook or YouTube.

“My position on this issue has been simple and consistent. We should make it easier – not harder – for all Delawareans to exercise their fundamental right to vote and participate in our democratic process,” said Governor Carney. “That’s especially important this year as our state and country continue to grapple with the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic. This legislation will make sure that Delawareans can fairly and securely cast their ballots and have their voices heard.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed our lives as we have taken steps to protect residents’ health and reduce the spread of the virus. No resident should have to choose between their health and exercising their right to vote, and House Bill 346 will make sure no one has to make that difficult choice,” said House Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst, the lead sponsor of the bill. “This new law gives every voter the option to cast their ballot by mail. Given the uncertainties of the virus and the steps we have to take to limit its spread, this is a critical option. We’ve done this the right way, using an existing, successful absentee voting system Delaware has used for decades. What we have done today will ensure that the 2020 elections in Delaware are a model for other states, not a ‘what went wrong?’ highlight on TV.”

“No one should ever have to choose between their health and voting in a free and open election,” said Senate President Pro Tempore David McBride. “With another spike of coronavirus cases expected in the fall just as many Delawareans prepare to exercise their fundamental right to vote, we have an obligation to provide our constituents – particularly those with a heightened risk of contracting COVID-19 – with safe, secure options for casting their ballots. House Bill 346 does not prevent a single person from voting in person, but it will give voters a choice that will preserve our democracy and could very well save lives.”

 

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Governor Carney’s Statement on Voting by Mail Legislation

WILMINGTON, Del. — Governor John Carney on Thursday issued the following statement on the General Assembly’s passage of House Bill 346, legislation sponsored by House Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst regarding voting by mail:

“My position on this issue has been simple and consistent. We should make it easier – not harder – for all Delawareans to exercise their fundamental right to vote and participate in our democratic process. That’s especially important this year as our state and country continue to grapple with the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic. This legislation will make sure that Delawareans can fairly and securely cast their ballots and have their voices heard.”

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Interactive Site Commemorates Women’s Suffrage Centennial

DOVER – The Delaware Women’s Suffrage Centennial Committee is launching its educational, history filled, and interactive website.

The website (de.gov/womenvote100) includes interactive quizzes for kids and adults, reading lists for people of all ages, and lesson plans for teachers and students of all ages. The Women’s Suffrage Centennial Committee created a website that includes a historical summary about the general Women’s Suffrage Movement as well as Delaware’s part in the effort. The site will include perspectives from people of all walks of life, making sure Delaware residents get a complete understanding of the Women’s Suffrage Movement.

“We are excited about the launch of the website celebrating 100th anniversary of a woman’s right to vote. As a member of the Delaware Women’s Suffrage Centennial Committee, it was important to create a digital platform that was interactive, educational, and one that would spark conversations about protecting the right to vote. The resources provided are user-friendly and designed for educators, community advocates and parents. We hope that the resources will be used to empower the next generation of women leaders who will be committed to a modern and forward-thinking movement, building on the powerful foundation as set forth by the Suffragists,” said Jackie Griffith, chair of the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Committee and director of government and community relations at Delaware State University.

The Women’s Suffrage Centennial Committee was created by the passage of Delaware House Concurrent Resolution 21 on March 28, 2019. The resolution celebrates Delaware’s observance of the centennial of the passage and ratification of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, providing for women’s suffrage. The resolution calls on the Delaware Heritage Commission to organize meaningful events and exhibits to honor this anniversary.

The Committee is planning a march and creating a monument to be dedicated to the women and men who fought for the ratification of the 19th Amendment. The Women’s Suffrage Centennial Committee was formed to “Celebrate, educate, and continue the work of the Women’s Suffrage Movement by commemorating the 100th anniversary.”

• Celebrate – Recognize that the 19th Amendment was the one of the greatest expansions of women’s rights in the history of the United States.
• Educate – Focus on providing people with the history of the Women’s Suffrage Movement.
• Continue – Acknowledge that although the Voting Rights Act of 1965 removed some barriers to voting, other barriers still persist.

“Delaware – and our entire country for that matter – is facing a significant moment with the upcoming 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment. It is a time in is history we should not take lightly, so I applaud the fact-finding, creative and innovative work of the Delaware Women’s Suffrage Centennial Committee,” said House Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst, prime sponsor of House Concurrent Resolution 21. “The women’s suffrage movement was legendary and multi-faceted, and I am personally inspired by so many trailblazing leaders who have paved the way for women’s rights in our state. The subcommittee’s new website celebrates this effort by melding history, storytelling and current events, honoring that the right to vote is powerful and needed for women to make their voices heard.”

The Women’s Suffrage Centennial Committee (de.gov/womenvote100) is made up of appointed members from various committees in the State of Delaware to ensure we have the best minds at the table while planning the celebration. The Committee helps bring Delaware residents together through knowledge.


Governor Carney Releases Statement on House Passage of Early Voting Legislation

DOVER, Del.Governor John Carney on Tuesday released the following statement on the vote in the Delaware House of Representatives to pass House Bill 38, which would allow in-person early voting at least 10 days before an election:

“Voting is our most fundamental right as Americans. We should make it easier – not harder – for all Delawareans to participate in our democratic process, and have their voice heard at the ballot box. Thank you to members of the House for supporting this bill, and to Representative Bentz for his leadership on this important issue. I look forward to continued discussions with members of the General Assembly about additional legislation that would make it easier for Delawareans to have a say in the future of our state and country, and exercise their fundamental right to vote.”

Read more about Governor Carney’s support for voting reforms.

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Related news:
Governor Carney: Let’s Remove Barriers to Voting
Support Voting Reforms


Governor Carney: Let’s Remove Barriers to Voting

Op-ed by Governor John Carney

I was in Millsboro on Election Day, and in addition to greeting old friends as they went to the polls, I had an especially meaningful experience. A young man was walking nervously toward the fire station that doubled as his polling place. As I stuck out my hand to introduce myself, he said, “Do you know how this works?” I looked at him funny and he said, “I’m a first-time voter. I’ve never done this before.”

Fortunately, poll workers were able to tell him what he needed to know and he walked out a happy voter.

As Governor, I get to travel our state every day and talk to Delawareans from all walks of life.

Part of my job is to encourage more Delawareans – like that young man in Millsboro – to participate in our democratic process. To have their voices heard. And, most importantly, to vote in elections. We ought to make it as easy as possible, not harder, for eligible Delawareans to exercise their right to vote.

I hear all the reasons why Delawareans choose not to cast a ballot when the time comes:

Voting is inconvenient.

My vote doesn’t really matter.

Once elected, politicians do what they want, anyway.

Last November, in one of the most consequential midterm elections in memory, just over half of eligible Delawareans went to the polls. And that was considered a good turnout because only 36 percent voted in November 2014.

Even in the Presidential year of 2016, turnout was only 65 percent. That means that 35 percent of Delawareans didn’t help choose their President.

Far too many Delawareans are choosing not to exercise their right to vote – to engage the public officials they send to Washington or Dover.

That’s why – as we head back to Legislative Hall to begin the 150th General Assembly – I’m encouraging members of both political parties to support common sense reforms to our election laws that will get more Delawareans involved in discussions about their own future.

Put plainly, we should make it easier to cast a ballot.

First, we should pass legislation allowing same-day voter registration. Delawareans should not be prevented from voting because they did not register in time. All of our citizens have a fundamental right to vote – and allowing voters to register on Election Day is a sensible reform that could encourage more Delawareans to show up and vote.

It’s also important that we allow Delawareans more options about when to vote.

Last year, Representative David Bentz introduced legislation that would have allowed early voting at polling places up to 10 days before Election Day. I urge legislators to send that legislation to my desk this session.

More time to vote means fewer excuses to sit out an election. It also means reduced lines at polling places on Election Day. And early voting reduces the chance that bad weather or another unforeseen event will have an adverse effect on Election Day turnout.

There is additional legislation we should take a hard look at – reforms that would more seamlessly register voters at the Division of Motor Vehicles, move primary elections to coincide with presidential primary dates, and allow for no-excuse absentee voting. All three would make it easier for more Delawareans to participate.

Legislators like Representative Bentz, former Senator Margaret Rose Henry, Representative John Viola, Representative Earl Jaques, Representative Stephanie T. Bolden, and others already have been champions on this issue – and I look forward to working with all members of the General Assembly to make progress.

Throughout our country’s history, Americans have sacrificed to secure voting rights for women and African Americans. We have an obligation to build on that legacy by taking additional steps that will strengthen voter access for Delawareans and increase participation in our elections.

This should not be a partisan issue. Democrats and Republicans have an interest in getting more Delawareans to the polls.

Most importantly, we all have an interest in removing barriers to vote, and making sure all Delawareans are involved in our Democratic process.

We live in a small state where it’s common to run into your representatives at Wawa, in the grocery store, or your local Little League game.

We should also make it easier to have your voice heard at the ballot box.

 

Visit de.gov/votingreforms to support common sense voting reforms.