Election Integrity
As I continue door knocking throughout the 25th House of Representatives District, one key issue that I’m hearing is related to concerns about election integrity.
There are two key bills impacting our Election Procedures being reviewed in committee today, June 15th:
SB 320: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 15 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ELECTIONS
https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail?legislationId=129685
Original Synopsis:
This bill establishes voting by mail under the General Assembly’s broad powers under § 1, Article V of the Delaware Constitution to “prescribe the means, methods and instruments of voting”.
and
HB25, HS1: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 15 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ELECTIONS.
https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail?legislationId=68679
Original Synopsis:
This bill provides for election day registration for presidential primary, primary, special, and general elections whereas currently the deadline is the fourth Saturday prior to the date of the election. Moreover, same day registration at polling places will be permitted with submission of an application along with a copy of a current and valid government issued photo identification or a current government document displaying the name and address of the person registering to vote. The effective date is January 1, 2022.
SB320 is referencing the 2020 election process as basis for justifying mail-in ballots. HB25/HS1 allows for same-day registration on election day, instead of the current requirement of fourth Saturday prior to the date of the election and 10 days prior for special elections.
There are several ways to get involved to support election integrity:
Become active in the Delaware Election Integrity Task Force, a grassroots group of concerned citizens working to ensure our elections are fair and your vote counts.
Based on a summary from this group:
· Our understanding of the current status of these two bills is the following:
HB 25 has passed the House; SB 320 will likely be voted out of committee on Wednesday June 15, will likely be voted on by the Senate on Thursday June 16, will likely go to the House Committee on Wednesday June 22, then go to the floor of the House for a vote next Thursday June 23. If they pass, they will then go to the Governor for his signature.· As you may know, DEGOP Chair Jane Brady along with the Public Interest Legal Foundation filed suit against the Delaware Department of Elections earlier this year, arguing that Permanent Early Voting and Permanent Absentee Voting violated the State Constitution. The expectation is that, should one or both of the above bills pass and are signed into law, the lawsuit would be amended to include these provisions as well.
· Write and call your local State Senator and Representative to express your views on these bills.
· Attend one of the many Town Halls being planned by the Delaware Election Integrity Task Force to discuss what you can do to help ensure that our vote is counted fairly in the upcoming elections and beyond.
· The first Town Hall is scheduled for Wednesday June 22 at 6:30 pm at 160 People's Plaza in Newark, Delaware. Please RSVP by email to DEIntegrityTaskForce@gmail.com or by calling 302 304 3308 as space is strictly limited to the first 100 people. We hope to broadcast the event via Rumble as well...details to all who RSVP.
Please get involved!! Time to take action and be engaged to ensure confidence in our elections.