Commentary: Republicans propose election integrity package
Earlier this month, House and Senate Republicans unveiled a package of five measures intended to improve the integrity and efficiency of Delaware’s voting system.
The first, sponsored by Sen. Dave Wilson, R-Lincoln, deals with the accuracy of Delaware’s list of registered voters. The concerns many of us have regarding this list were illustrated last year leading up to the vote-by-mail presidential primary July 7 (authorized by the governor under his state-of-emergency declaration).
Testifying before the House of Representatives three weeks before that election, state Election Commissioner Anthony Albence noted that of the nearly 544,000 ballots sent to voters, his agency had approximately 55,000 ballots returned as undeliverable. An error rate topping 10% should concern anyone. This does not even account for the ballots returned following the commissioner’s remarks or the number that were incorrectly delivered but were never sent back.
We are calling for creating a 10-member, nonpartisan task force to review every aspect of how our registered voter list is compiled and maintained and to report on recommendations for improving its accuracy.
The second proposal is even more straightforward. This resolution, sponsored by Rep. Steve Smyk, R-Milton, would direct the Department of Elections to review nationwide practices for verifying signatures on absentee ballots. Following the evaluation, elections officials would report on the potential opportunities for improving Delaware’s verification methods. We believe it is healthy for any organization to periodically review its existing procedures to ensure that best practices are being employed. Our Department of Elections should be no different.
The third piece of the package, sponsored by Rep. Jesse Vanderwende, R-Bridgeville, seeks to significantly increase the penalties for committing voter fraud. At present, people found guilty of illegally voting face a fine of between $50 and $200 and/or a prison sentence of between 30 days and two years. This proposal would maintain the possibility of up to two years in jail, but it would increase the fine to a minimum of $1,000 for a first offense and a minimum of $2,000 for a subsequent offense. Additionally, anyone found guilty of the offense would lose his or her right to vote for five years following the conviction. Voter fraud, while fortunately rare in Delaware, is a serious crime. We believe the penalties for this offense should reflect this.
The fourth element, sponsored by Rep. Rich Collins, R-Millsboro, specifies that citizens wishing to vote at a polling place identify themselves by presenting valid identification. Under this bill, 13 different types of photo ID, including school and employee IDs, would be acceptable. Additionally, this proposal retains the use of the polling place card as a valid form of voter ID. This card is periodically sent to all registered voters and can be requested at any time, free of charge.
Any voter who is unable to provide an acceptable form of identification, or whose eligibility to vote cannot otherwise be determined, could cast a provisional ballot. The ballot will be counted after the Department of Elections matches information provided by the voter against his or her registration records.
Delawareans already are asked to show valid identification to perform many commonplace tasks. We do not believe it is unreasonable to require the same when executing one of the most important aspects of citizenship. The majority of Americans seem to agree. A 2018 Pew Research Center survey revealed that more than three-quarters of respondents (76%) supported requiring ID to vote. Our proposal provides an increased level of certainty to the process and allows for a valid non-photo option, without creating any additional barrier or inconvenience to voters.
The last measure, sponsored by Rep. Lyndon Yearick, R-Magnolia, seeks to harmonize existing law for requesting an absentee ballot. It would require voters to present a form of photo identification to Department of Elections’ staff processing the request. If the request is made via mail, a photocopy of an acceptable form of photo ID — identical to the broad list included in the previous proposal — would be required. This proposal would make the identification requirements for mail-in absentee-ballot requests the same as those made in person or online via Delaware’s iVote system, the latter of which requires a driver’s license or state identification number. In the event the Department of Elections receives an absentee-ballot request lacking valid identification, the bill directs the department to attempt to contact the voter to confirm his or her identity.
While we should make voting as accessible as possible to all eligible citizens, we have a simultaneous duty to make sure the system is fair and secure and retains the full faith of the public. We believe these measures advance all these goals.
Rep. Danny Short, R-Seaford, is the House minority leader.
