SPONSOR:

Rep. Bentz & Rep. Longhurst & Sen. Hansen & Sen. Poore & Sen. Paradee

Reps. Baumbach, Brady, Chukwuocha, Dorsey Walker, Griffith, Heffernan, K. Johnson, Kowalko, Lambert, Lynn, Matthews, Mitchell, S. Moore, Morrison, Osienski, Schwartzkopf, K. Williams, Wilson-Anton; Sens. Ennis, Gay, Lockman, Mantzavinos, S. McBride, Pinkney, Sokola, Sturgeon, Townsend, Walsh

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

151st GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 75

AN ACT CONCURRING IN A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE V OF THE DELAWARE CONSTITUTION RELATING TO VOTING.

WHEREAS, an amendment to the Delaware Constitution was proposed in the 150 th General Assembly, being Chapter 232, Volume 82 of the Laws of Delaware; and

WHEREAS, the proposed amendment was adopted by two-thirds of all members elected to each house of the 150 th General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, following adoption by the General Assembly, the proposed amendment was publicized in accordance with the Delaware Constitution; and

WHEREAS, when the 151 st General Assembly concurs in the proposed amendment, the amendment will become part of the Delaware Constitution.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (Two-thirds of all members elected to each house thereof concurring therein):

Section 1. Amend Article V, § 4A of the Delaware Constitution by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 4A. General laws for absentee voting.

Section 4A. The General Assembly shall enact general laws providing that any qualified elector of this State, duly registered, who shall be unable to appear to cast his or her ballot at any general election at the regular polling place of the election district in which he or she is registered, either because of being in the public service of the United States or of this State, or his or her spouse or dependents when residing with or accompanying him or her because of the nature of his or her business or occupation, because of his or her sickness or physical disability, because of his or her absence from the district while on vacation, or because of the tenets or teachings of his or her religion, may cast a ballot at such general election to be counted in such election district. The General Assembly shall enact general laws providing the circumstances, rules, and procedures by which registered voters may vote by absentee ballot.

SYNOPSIS

This Act is the final leg of a constitutional amendment that would eliminate from the Delaware Constitution the limitations as to when an individual may vote by absentee ballot. This amendment to the Delaware Constitution provides that the General Assembly shall enact general laws providing the circumstances, rules, and procedures for absentee voting.