House passes Delaware bill to codify no excuse absentee voting

Salisbury, Md. – A bill to codify no-excuse absentee voting into the Delaware constitution is one step closer to becoming law.

Senate Bill 3, a bipartisan effort co-sponsored by several state senators and representatives, would allow voters to get an absentee ballot without having to give a reason why.

“I think it’s a great concept. I think it helps our constituents,” Rep. William Bush (D – District 29) testified on the House floor. Bush is a co-sponsor of the bill.

The bill was amended to not include permanent absentee voting, something advocates say would have helped voters with disabilities. However, Bush said it was necessary to help the bill pass.

“I think what we have done with this bill is we’ve made improvements,” he said. “There were some concerns in the past, as opposed to putting everything into the general laws of Delaware and allowing the decision to be made there specifically puts the no excuse absentee in the Constitution.”

In a statement, the Delaware ACLU lauded the passing of the bill saying that SB 3 and Senate Bill 2 would solidify people’s right to an absentee ballot.

“Together, these bills enhance Delaware’s election integrity and security, increase voter participation, and make our elections more accessible and representative of our entire state,” the ACLU said.

SB 3 now heads back to the Senate.