AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 15 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO VOTING LOCATION.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on how the consolidation of polling places will be implemented or what constitutes an 'undue burden' on voter access.

Voting Location Act

This act allows Delaware residents to vote at any polling place within their county during primary and general elections, while giving the State Election Commissioner authority to consolidate polling places into central voting centers.

What This Bill Does

• Allows voters in primary and general elections to vote at any polling place within their county of residence.
• Gives the State Election Commissioner the authority to consolidate polling places into centrally located centers for voting, provided that each election district retains at least one polling place.

Who It Names or Affects

• Voters who live in Delaware and are registered to vote.
• The State Election Commissioner responsible for managing elections.

Terms To Know

Election district

A specific area within a county where people go to vote.

Polling place

The location where voters cast their ballots on election day.

Limits and Unknowns

• It is not clear how the consolidation of polling places will be implemented.
• There are no details about what constitutes an 'undue burden' on voter access.

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 15 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO VOTING LOCATION.
This Act will allow voters in primary and general elections to vote at any polling place in their county of residence. The Act’s goal in doing so is to increase access to voting by giving voters the ability to vote at the polling place in their county that is most convenient to them. This Act also gives the State Election Commissioner the authority to consolidate polling places into centrally located centers for voting, as long as each election district retains at least one polling place and the consolidation of polling places does not result in an undue burden on voters’ access to polling places.

Current Bill Text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Sen. Buckson & Rep. Hilovsky

Sens. Hocker, Pettyjohn; Reps. Ortega, Michael Smith

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE BILL NO. 126

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 15 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO VOTING LOCATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend Chapter 31, Title 15 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 3128. Voting location.

In a primary election, a voter may vote at any polling place for any election district in the county in which the voter is registered to vote.

Section 2. Amend Chapter 45, Title 15 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 4517. Voting location.

In an election, a voter may vote at any polling place for any election district in the county in which the voter is registered to vote.

Section 3. Amend § 302, Title 15 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 302. General powers and duties of Commissioner.

The Commissioner shall have the following powers and duties:

(18) To consolidate polling places into centrally located centers for voting, as long each election district retains at least one polling place and the consolidation of polling places does not result in an undue burden on voters’ access to polling places.

SYNOPSIS

This Act will allow voters in primary and general elections to vote at any polling place in their county of residence. The Act’s goal in doing so is to increase access to voting by giving voters the ability to vote at the polling place in their county that is most convenient to them. This Act also gives the State Election Commissioner the authority to consolidate polling places into centrally located centers for voting, as long as each election district retains at least one polling place and the consolidation of polling places does not result in an undue burden on voters’ access to polling places.

Author: Senator Buckson