On May 10, Delaware will be holding school board elections, which typically bring out only about 10% of eligible voters.
This is concerning because, across the country, school boards are seeing protests around mask mandates, curriculum regarding race and gender identity. In addition, school boards are poised to make major decisions due to the infusion of COVID-19-relief funds approved by Congress to address the impact of the pandemic.
These are issues that can have a profound impact on our system of education. Everyone has a stake in this election because the future of democracy depends on how we educate our children and their children.
In hopes of reversing the historically poor turnout and helping voters navigate these important races, the League of Women Voters of Delaware has launched its user-friendly VOTE411 online guide — vote411.org. Voters can see side-by-side comparisons of candidates’ biographies, visions for the future and positions on critical and often controversial topics facing education today, including the banning of books, systemic racism and the unit funding system.
In addition to the candidates’ positions, voters can also find a listing of polling places and a schedule of candidate forums.
There is a lot at stake, and we can no longer stay home during this election.
Jill Itzkowitz
Chair of elections and voting, League of Women Voters of Delaware
