Brown: It’s time to mobilize Delaware voters
Sen. Darius Brown is a Democrat serving the 2nd District (Wilmington). He is the chair of the Senate Elections & Government Affairs Committee.
The First State experienced a primary election Sept. 10, with a wide array of candidates vying for offices at the local, state and federal levels. This consequential primary election was coupled with over 50,000 newly registered voters — a record number made possible due to 2021 legislation that created Delaware’s automatic voter registration process. Despite the significance of this election and the growing electorate, primary voter turnout in Delaware was notably low.
According to the Delaware Department of Elections, only 22.41% of Delaware registered voters participated in this recent primary election. This reveals an alarming trend because low voter turnout in the primary can carry through to the general election, as was evident with the 2022 general election, during which voter turnout was less than 50%.
As the chair of the Senate Elections & Government Affairs Committee, I believe it is time to heighten our focus on voter mobilization, particularly as we have made great strides in the Delaware General Assembly to reduce barriers for eligible voters. For example, our state established early voting, which more than 55,000 Delawareans took advantage of during the first election cycle it was available. I have also worked diligently to fortify the advancements we have made to increase access to absentee voting — introducing a constitutional amendment that would have instituted no-excuse absentee voting. Even with this progress, more must be done to empower Delawareans to exercise their voices with their votes.
With the general election swiftly approaching, we must all understand that, at the core of increased voter mobilization, is voter education.
The Delaware general election is scheduled for Nov. 5. Delawareans who were not registered to vote for this past primary can still register to participate in the general election by Oct. 12.
Registered voters in Delaware do not have to wait until Nov. 5 to cast their ballots.
Early voting for the general election will take place from Oct. 25-29 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. There are several early-voting polling locations in all three counties.
Delawareans who may face different challenges to come to the polls can request an absentee ballot. Applications for absentee ballots can be sent to the Delaware Department of Elections by email, mail or fax at least a week before the general election. All information about one’s specific registration status, polling locations and absentee ballot requests can be found at ivote.de.gov.
While I remain steadfast in my commitment to further ensure all Delaware residents have the ability to vote safely and securely, I encourage those in the First State to take advantage of the different voting tools currently available.
The low voter turnout should serve as a wakeup call for us all. It is time for us to not only be engaged voters but to encourage our neighbors to get out and vote. As the late and honorable John Lewis once said, “The vote is precious. It is almost sacred. It is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have in a democracy.” No words ring more true, as we reflect on the history of this country, where the right to vote was not guaranteed for many, where my ancestors had struggles and triumphs that formed the foundation of this nation and fought for us today, in modern times, to be civically engaged. The remnants of our history and the light that guides us to a brighter future should remind us all why we must vote.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
