Several bills are pending before the Delaware General Assembly to make voting easier. All Delawareans should become familiar with these proposed laws. Many states already have similar laws to encourage citizens to vote.
Voting is essential to preserve our freedoms.
Senate Bill 5 would provide for automatic voter registration at the Division of Motor Vehicles. Twenty states have such laws.
House Bill 75 would amend the Delaware Constitution to eliminate restrictions on absentee voting. Thirty-four states permit absentee voting without an excuse. Only sixteen, including Delaware, require an excuse.
House Bill 25 would permit Election Day voter registration. Twenty-one states allow same-day registration.
In 2019, the General Assembly passed a law allowing early voting 10 days before the election. It becomes effective in 2022. Forty-three states permit early voting, and only District of Columbia and three states limit it to 10 days or less before the election.
Obviously, these bills are not novel pieces of legislation. Delaware has failed to keep pace in passing laws that promote voting. It is behind the two-thirds of the states that have eliminated restrictions on absentee voting. The First State is not first when it comes to voting laws.
Matthew Lynch
Vice chair
Delaware chapter, American Constitution Society
Wilmington
