[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6106739,"mediaKeyId","2779622-b755d3436341593775177be94efbc42c","parentId",2779622,"title","Committee Hears Support for Constitutional Amendment to Protect Early In‑Person Voting (SB 2)","audioSeconds",1440,"startMs",427000,"endMs",1867000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2779622-b755d3436341593775177be94efbc42c&start=427&end=1867","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2779622-b755d3436341593775177be94efbc42c/thumbnail_427000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6106739/Delaware/Committee-Hears-Support-for-Constitutional-Amendment-to-Protect-Early-InPerson-Voting-SB-2","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6106739-d6a6b4624025379fd5b8b7391eacfb91/orig.mp4?Expires=1770571302&Signature=T-Xg9XMYzsUy3a-qV-CkS43i--z-2yvtFSKSX2ocqkcai0figV5WhQ~BeFwJUwt28odd6BI2QX3W58mXMiI1Tr7sW2BxifLR~fGymWOLD4ggn0pxi5rnZFTqqQolyY7DcHY172tzoeb2G9pvKrZpDEoABij2PNcOdEkc1jmvDK8gaJXH4BrqZpAbFgsCelNt-QQ1l0UV4HhaFUXFdQ8kyZc0lIIcH5XnNmEqtzH7SgKtySVm5UiwqitPJMRswamT-PHTib1lK549qvH8NG6Mtku6lswsx1t4vi1L0377JjMeFpvx1sONe2EwQPWSlme2NJZS2nGqNjIWYrWnDHcMGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Delaware Legislature","date","2025-03-26T00:00:00Z","article","Senator Darius Brown, sponsor of Senate Bill 2, told the Senate Elections and Government Affairs Committee that the measure would amend the Delaware Constitution to guarantee early in‑person voting for general, primary and special elections to fill General Assembly vacancies.

The bill, Brown said, would enshrine a practice that has been in state law since February 2019 (effective for elections beginning Jan. 1, 2022) and protect early voting from future legal challenges to statutory provisions. \"We've seen historically the engagement and benefit of being able to vote early,\" Brown said, citing 2024 turnout figures he provided: \"over 124,000 Democrats that voted early, [and] over 75,000 Republicans that both voted early.\" State Election Commissioner Anthony Alban and Mark Petroma, director of the Division of Legislative Services, were listed as expert witnesses.

Supporters who testified in person and virtually said early voting increases access for working people, older voters and people with disabilities. Tim Travers, a Greenville resident, told the committee he supports SB 2 and cited a party leadership statement and turnout figures. Andrew Bernstein of the ACLU of Delaware said early in‑person voting accounted for about 40% of votes cast in the 2024 presidential election and argued a constitutional amendment would protect the practice from future litigation. Becca Cotto of YWCA Delaware, Ted Spickler for AARP, Cynthia Carter Wedgwood (a longtime election worker), and multiple other residents and advocacy organizations also urged committee support.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about why a constitutional amendment is needed rather than statutory change. Commissioner Alban explained the amendment would respond to recent court litigation and make the practice harder to overturn, noting that the state’s Supreme Court had dismissed one early‑voting challenge for lack of standing but that future suits could raise the issue again. Several senators signaled support or asked to be cosine with the bill; no committee vote on SB 2 was recorded at the hearing.

The committee opened a formal public record for written comments to be submitted up to 24 hours after adjournment. The committee then moved on to the next agenda item, SB 3, after completing the SB 2 public‑comment period.

No committee motion or roll‑call vote on SB 2 was made during the hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Elections & Government Affairs Committee Meeting Wednesday, Mar 26, 2025 3:00 PM - 4:02 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Senator Darius Brown, sponsor of Senate Bill 2, told the Senate Elections and Government Affairs Committee that the measure would amend the Delaware Constitution to guarantee early in‑person voting for general, primary and special elections to fill General Assembly vacancies.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature DE Collection, Legislative, Delaware","taxId",77708,"location","Delaware","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6106729,"Committee Hears SB 52 to Ease Return‑to‑Work Rules for State Retirees; Sponsors Say Change Will Fill Staffing Gaps",404,2850000,3254000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2779622-b755d3436341593775177be94efbc42c&start=2850&end=3254","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2779622-b755d3436341593775177be94efbc42c/thumbnail_2850000.jpg","/articles/6106729/Delaware/Committee-Hears-SB-52-to-Ease-ReturntoWork-Rules-for-State-Retirees-Sponsors-Say-Change-Will-Fill-Staffing-Gaps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6106729-448815614412ff25c5a71be5256f4ea0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770571302&Signature=LdjCsUVa~PRZ283Y9Mb0-JgYMT3C-2fht4ABULAMKXtRyTiJmgR-gmss73T8Y5knVZvGxNIuVZ9nkqL~j~~9BJ3RCH3eNdyjm4fKNbXRjGJEdoTStEMN47AfV3V0QOSlp4Mxkevf3iCX5eUHoBAIviLnTiXgjHWMw7o4bQPfWyJql94rNwMCQmc2IMDqk8wBvwGPZ88pkrYEANKl6QquMBDRX9u4yUVkjrEvf6YsJ8MjxwO-xL6FRKFfnxsRZq5rN1bUsnA5G~G9fXBGu3QgY-c4~gXYLESCZkMLQoSwnkPem4jvcRVP6SoYkY7NTWAWMOXiSd0JJG78P5Dp2qkfTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Darius Brown presented Senate Bill 52 in the Senate Elections and Government Affairs Committee as legislation to ease return‑to‑work restrictions for state retirees and address staffing shortages.

Under current law, returning retirees face a separation period and an earnings cap. Brown described SB 52 as lowering the qualifying age for return‑to‑work rules from 65 to 59, reducing the required separation period from six months to three months for many retirees, and eliminating the current $50 earnings cap for retirees who return to temporary state positions. Brown said the measure is aimed at retaining experienced educators, health care workers and other state employees and to compete with neighboring states that recruit retired Delaware workers.

Nick Johnson, Director of Operations at Polytech School District and treasurer of the Delaware Association of School Administrators and School Business Officials, testified that the bill would allow districts to hire retired educators to reduce learning loss and fill difficult vacancies. Johnson provided day‑rate comparisons for substitutes and said rehiring retired staff could save districts money. A representative from the pension administration office (identified in testimony as Adam, pension administrator) explained the need to preserve the pension fund’s qualified tax status and said the bill was drafted to remain compliant with federal Internal Revenue Service rules on return‑to‑work restrictions; Joanna Adams of the pension office assisted in formulating language, the sponsor said.

Committee members asked whether unions and chief school officers endorsed the bill; the sponsor said several education officials and school‑management groups had been consulted and expressed support. Senator Richardson asked to be added as a cosponsor. The committee concluded the hearing on SB 52 without a vote; the final action recorded for the meeting was a motion to adjourn, seconded and approved unanimously.","Senate Bill 52 would reduce the separation period for most retirees returning to state employment, lower the qualifying age, and remove the current earnings cap for return‑to‑work positions. Proponents said the change would help schools and other state agencies fill long‑term vacancies; the committee took testimony and did not vote.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":46,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6106734,"Committee Hears Testimony for SB 3 to Create No‑Excuse Absentee Voting; Questions About Return Methods and Permanent Status",978,2845000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2779622-b755d3436341593775177be94efbc42c&start=1867&end=2845","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2779622-b755d3436341593775177be94efbc42c/thumbnail_1867000.jpg","/articles/6106734/Delaware/Committee-Hears-Testimony-for-SB-3-to-Create-NoExcuse-Absentee-Voting-Questions-About-Return-Methods-and-Permanent-Status","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6106734-3c5274b475ec571947665941b2e12331/orig.mp4?Expires=1770571302&Signature=XCU5NUvC2HSH4L1mr3LaeZzxl6idQALu2VFrDTQvejlqduAFYDu3DR-YEabA5gKBydeopNdNEKQn5KupAKIVvpZFVdT-ZcTaCHSYIXsdTIXD38xsFLDFj-YPpyzcysgtz-HnGcaPMSUS4TKyH7kWML1LtgOqh1RNAqxKpkvCZTuJMPc2EB7eRJSrLamUW~9Y3N-ORcSyHZFpyXgr~UhoYTBKHuJ2qjmjtU2VV~zOXFYN7jtck12BKwmjGRrjUISt7x2cFeqhPOzaN1wdXyT-afrld-dOzHLftveX1cCxswXK7Qf0w55msave0ab6fs1gidweVV4aB1amZl~y~ZbHYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Darius Brown presented Senate Bill 3 to the Senate Elections and Government Affairs Committee as a constitutional amendment to give Delaware voters an absolute right to vote by absentee ballot without providing a reason.

Anthony Alban, State Election Commissioner, and Mark Petroma, director of the Division of Legislative Services, served as expert witnesses. Commissioner Alban told the committee the amendment would remove the requirement to cite a reason when requesting an absentee ballot and would preserve existing categories of permanent absentee status (for example military/overseas voters and those who are sick or disabled). \"As the bill is drafted, this amendment . . . would remove the reason,\" Alban said. Committee members pressed officials on how ballots may be returned, whether the bill changes existing return methods, and whether the measure guards against large‑scale third‑party collection of absentee ballots.

Alban replied the amendment does not change current statutory return methods (mail, county office drop‑off or in‑person return) and that Delaware law historically has relied on the voter's self‑affirmation when requesting absentee ballots. Mark Petroma clarified that the bill’s list of permanent absentee reasons was drawn from existing statutory language and said he would verify the completeness of the statutory list for the record.

Public commenters urged passage of SB 3. Disability Rights Delaware and Community Legal Aid Society representatives said people with disabilities benefit from predictable absentee options. AARP and other civic and faith groups testified that no‑excuse absentee voting increases access for those with mobility or caregiving constraints. Several speakers recounted personal examples of voters denied absentee status under the current rules and urged the committee to pass SB 3.

Committee members discussed safeguards and administrative implications but did not take a committee vote during the hearing. The committee invited written comments into the public record through the deadline the clerk announced.","Senate Bill 3 would amend the Delaware Constitution to remove reasons required to request an absentee ballot and allow absentee ballots upon request without an excuse; committee took public testimony and asked officials about permanent absentee status, return methods and safeguards against improper collection.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee Hears Support for Constitutional Amendment to Protect Early In‑Person Voting (SB 2)

Committee Hears SB 52 to Ease Return‑to‑Work Rules for State Retirees; Sponsors Say Change Will Fill Staffing Gaps

Committee Hears Testimony for SB 3 to Create No‑Excuse Absentee Voting; Questions About Return Methods and Permanent Status