Delaware House Passes Early Voting Bill, Governor Carney Reacts
The Delaware House of Representatives has approved legislation that would allow in-person early voting in the state. According to the State Legislature, the bill passed in a 34 to 6 vote on Tuesday.
The bill would establish in-person early voting in the First State beginning in 2020. This would allow registered voters to vote in-person during at least 10 days before an election, up to and including the Saturday and Sunday immediately before the election at locations determined by the State Election Commissioner. The act also charges the State Election Commissioner with determining whether such voting should occur by voting machine or paper ballot. The act also requires at least 1 in-person early polling place in each county.
Delaware Governor John Carney, a Democrat says that “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 聽the ballot box.” The Governor went on to thank to House of Representatives and said he looks forward to discussing additional legislation that “would make it easier for Delawareans to have a say in the future of our state and our country, and exercise their fundamental right to vote.”
Delaware would join a plethora of other states in legalizing early voting, including Maryland. The legislation now heads to the Senate. Governor Carney says he looks forward to signing it into law.
