ACTION ALERT HB-346 and HB-175: Mail-In Voting Bills
7/1/20 Update: the bill was signed into law by Governor Carney!
6/25/20 Update: HB-346 was passed by the Senate!!
6/21/20 Update: The League of Women Voters of Delaware sent the following brief email to Members of the Senate:
"The League of Women Voters of Delaware fully supports HB346.
It is imperative that every Delaware voter who wants to vote has an opportunity to do so without risking their health and safety."
6/19/20 UPDATE: the House passed HB-346, and it’s now on its way to the Senate. Let your State Senator know you support HB-346.
Your assistance is needed to encourage elected officials to pass Mail-In Voting Bills before the end of the legislative session in June. During these very trying times, it is imperative that every voter who wants to vote has an opportunity to do so without risking their health and safety.
On Thursday, June 18, the general assembly will vote on a new bill, HB-346 allowing mail-in voting due to COVID 19 for 2020 elections only. Under HB-346, the Delaware Department of Elections (DOE) would mail an application for a vote-by-mail ballot to every qualified voter (in the state primary, this would be registered Democrats and Republicans). Between four and 30 days before each election, DOE will mail ballots to each voter who requested a vote-by-mail ballot. The mailing will include instructions for completing and returning the ballot. Postage for all these mailings will be pre-paid by DOE.
HB-346 is being considered in lieu of HB-175 that would permanently allow mail-In voting. Although the LWVSC fully supports both bills, it appears that legislative support for both HB-175 and HB-346 is divided along party lines and will require support from constituents.
Please e-mail or call your elected officials before Thursday, June 18 and let them know that you want to be able to VOTE by MAIL. You can e-mail your elected officials directly from https://legis.delaware.gov under the Senate or House tab, filling in your address as prompted.
