House passes vote by mail, restaurant outdoor seating, carryout alcohol bills

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Legislation allowing Delaware residents to cast their ballot via mail passed the House Thursday.

House Bill 346 allows all eligible voters the ability to cast ballots by mail for any elections held in calendar year 2020. The bill passed the House along party lines, 25-13. Republicans have opposed vote by mail, claiming it will increase voter fraud.

“I had no problem with giving voters options in September and November, should the coronavirus still be a significant health threat,” said  House Minority Leader Danny Short (R-Seaford). “Our caucus members took issue with this bill for several reasons. First, there was a much simpler, less expensive approach that could have been used to accomplish the same goal. Additionally, there was a total disregard for due process and public participation.”

The House has been operating via Zoom meetings, a process that has come under fire from Republicans.

“The depth and scope of the current COVID-19 crisis and its impact on our communities has fundamentally shifted the way we live our lives” said Rep Valerie. Longhurst, D-Bear, the bill’s sponsor.  “Preserving Delawareans’ fundamental right to vote is imperative. We need to make sure voters have the ability to cast their ballots without risking their health and safety. This bill establishes the process for protecting our elections and our health.”

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Democrats noted that throughout this spring, numerous states have waited in by long lines. with voters wearing face masks and waiting hours to cast their ballots. In Delaware, Christina School District residents waited for hours to vote in person in last week’s referendum.

Turnout  in a presidential election year expected to be higher than usual, with former Vice President Joe Biden expected to face off against President Donald Trump.  Health experts warn that the nation could see a return of coronavirus in the fall.

The process would mirror the absentee voting system that has been utilized successfully for decades in Delaware. Under HB 346, the state Department of Elections would mail an application for a vote-by-mail ballot to every qualified voter (in the state primary, this would be registered Democrats and Republicans). Any voter wishing to vote by mail would need to complete the application, sign and date it, and mail it back to the Department of Elections.

Between four and 30 days before each election, DOE will mail ballots to each voter who requested a vote-by-mail ballot. The mailing will include instructions for completing and returning the ballot. Postage for all these mailings will be pre-paid by DOE. There is no cost to a resident to vote by mail.

Along with vote-by-mail, the House on Thursday also passed:

  • House Bill 349, which would extend State of Emergency provisions allowing food and drink establishments to sell alcoholic beverages for take-out, curbside or drive-through service, and to expand their outdoor seating space, increasing their square footage and overall seating capacity. These provisions extend through March 2021.
  • House Bill 347, which would allow the Office of Management and Budget to extend the period pertaining to procurement of goods and services by State agencies for up to 15 days, permit bids and proposals to be submitted electronically, and allows for electronic execution of documents. This would be extended until March 31, 2021.
  • House Bill 345, which would extend the deadlines for several legislative task forces and committees, many of which have not been able to meet or had their work curtailed by COVID-19. Most task forces are created by resolutions, which expire with the end of each General Assembly. The 150th General Assembly ends on November 3.

The legislation now goes to the Senate.

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