DE Senate passes bill allowing all registered voters to vote by mail

DELAWARE – The General Assembly passed legislation allowing Delawareans to cast their ballot by mail this week. House Bill 346 only sends applications and not actual ballots. It instructs the state’s Department of Elections to mail an application for a vote-by-mail ballot to every qualified voter in Delaware between four and 30 days before each election. Any voter wishing to vote by mail would need to complete the application, sign and date it, and mail it back to the department of elections.

Executive director of the Delaware Democratic Party says making it easier for people to vote from home will help during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I think it was the responsible thing for the legislature to provide another avenue by which people can participate in democracy safely,” said Chadderdon.

Chair of the Delaware Republican Party M. Jane Brady says that she thinks more polling stations should be opened, so that voting fraud can be avoided. “I want my vote to count 100%. I want someone else’s vote – no matter who they vote for – to count 100%. But I don’t want my vote diluted by fraud, and that’s one of the issues we have to be careful of,” said Brady.

As part of House Bill 346, in-person polling sites would remain open, but voters would have to choose whether to cast their ballot in person or from the safety of their own homes. As of Friday, the bill is on its way to Governor John Carney’s desk for a signature. The governor commented on the bill, saying “This legislation will make sure that Delawareans can fairly and securely cast their ballots and have their voices heard.