A bill that would allow for mail-in ballots in Delaware has advanced to Governor John Carney’s desk for signature.
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Once signed, Delaware voters would be allowed to request a mail-in ballot to vote in the upcoming election – going into effect immediately.
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The House passed the bill on Wednesday night after hearing testimony from an attorney who argued that the legislature had the power to enact legislation despite Republicans calling the bill unconstitutional because it circumvents the majority votes needed for a constitutional amendment.
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State Representative Bryan Shupe (R-Milford), who attempted to add a last-minute amendment that would set a start date of January 1, 2023 for mail-in ballots, cited the primary elections being 77 days away.
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“Without this amendment this assembly is saying that they favor short-term, potentially self-benefitting political wins,” Shupe says. “We need reasonable, logical centered dialogue on election integrity and the right to vote.”
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The amendment was shot down and just over two hours later, the bill was voted along party lines with four no vote/absent.
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It now heads to the governor for signature, which he has signaled support for. State GOP officials tell TV Delmarva News they plan to sue the law once it is enacted.
