DOVER –The House passed legislation on Tuesday aimed at streamlining the electoral process and increasing voter turnout.
House Bill 65, sponsored by Rep. Stephanie T. Bolden and Sen. Nicole Poore, would move Delaware’s state primary elections to coincide with its presidential primary elections in April.
Currently, Delaware holds its presidential primaries for both major parties on the fourth Tuesday in April. However, the First State’s primaries for statewide and local political offices are held on the second Tuesday after the first Monday in September. The separate dates can create confusion among voters.
Data shows turnout for the state primary dramatically drops off from the presidential primary. In 2022, only 16.2% of registered voters participated in Delaware’s primary. And in 2024, only 22.41% of registered voters participated in Delaware’s primary.
“As legislators, we address the needs of our individual districts, but as a body, we represent all Delawareans. Aligning our state’s primary with the Presidential Primary is not about politics– it’s about ensuring that every voice is heard, especially our working families,” said Rep. Bolden.
“This is a long-overdue reform. We can no longer afford to employ outdated practices that reduce voter participation, drain resources, and cost Delaware millions. HB 65 addresses these problems, and now is the time to get it done.”
In 2024, many states, including neighboring New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, held their state and presidential primaries on the same day.
In 2020, Delaware had the latest state primary in the country, just seven weeks before Election Day. In fact, Delaware primaries are held so late that the state must consistently obtain waivers for federal requirements for overseas and military ballots. This means Delawareans living overseas have very little time to receive, consider, and return their ballots.
“I am proud to support my colleague Rep. Stephanie T. Bolden’s House Bill 65. Streamlining all of our local elections makes it easier on members of the public to participate in our democracy by reducing how often we ask our fellow citizens to go to the polls,” said Sen. Nicole Poore.
“Not only will this legislation increase voter turnout, but it will save the state money. During his testimony before the House Elections & Government Affairs Committee, our elections commissioner Anthony Albence said that House Bill 65 would save the state an estimated $1.5 million in election administration costs.”
The savings from aligning the presidential and state primaries will help the state to support other essential programs during a time of uncertainty regarding potential budget cuts from the federal administration.
HB 65 will now advance to the Senate for consideration
