CHAPTER 289
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 15, DELAWARE CODE, RELATING TO ELECTIONS TO PROVIDE FOR CENTRAL AND CONTINUOUS REGISTRATION OF VOTERS IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN EACH COUNTY.
WHEREAS, one of the keystones of our democratic government is the intelligent exercise of the voting privilege by an informed electorate; and
WHEREAS, in order to exercise the privilege of voting it is necessary to register; and
WHEREAS, central registration and mobile registration has proved extremely successful in our neighboring state of New Jersey; and
WHEREAS, the registration laws of this State now provide that servicemen and their wives may register at any time and it appearing desirable that other citizens may do likewise; and
WHEREAS, under the registration laws now effective in this State all regular registration days fall on Saturday and there are certain people residing in this State who are prohibited by their religious beliefs from engaging in citizen activities on their holidays or Sabbath,
NOW, THEREFORE, it is the sense of this body and it is hereby declared that registration should be made as convenient and easy as possible. The citizens of this State should be able to register at the Department of Elections and additional opportunities should be offered for registration in various parts of the county and such registration should be continuous; NOW, THEREFORE,
Section 1. Title 15, Delaware Code, is amended by adding thereto a new Section to read:
§ 2006. Election days, places and registration officers
(a) The days designated pursuant to the authority granted in Chapter 20, Title 15, may, at the discretion of each Department of Elections, be continuous, commencing and terminating as designated. The places designated may be in the respective election districts or may be one or more central places.
(b) At such times and at such places as may be designated, any person who is qualified to register to vote may register whether he or she is a resident of the election district wherein the registration is being held or any other election district in the same county with the right of appeal in all cases.
(c) The Auxiliary Registration Officers appointed pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 20, Title 15, Delaware Code, shall have all the powers granted to registration officers generally and in addition thereto shall have the power to register and transfer voters residing in any election district in the county for which such Auxiliary Registration Officers are appointed.
Section 2. Title 15, Section 2005, Sub-section 1, Delaware Code, is amended by deleting all of said sub-section and substituting in lieu thereof the following:
(1) The Department of Elections for each county shall cause an appropriate advertisement to be placed in one or more newspapers of general circulation in the county giving notice of the places, dates and times registrations and transfers of voters will be accepted.
Approved May 8, 1964.