Delaware Supreme Court finds vote by mail, same-day registration unconstitutional

[In It to Win It]

Delaware News Journal via Yahoo News

The Delaware Supreme Court ruled on Friday to overturn the vote-by-mail and same-day voter registration legislation, marking a huge blow to Gov. John Carney and Democrats.

The decision came just one day after oral arguments were heard on whether allowing all registered voters the choice to cast their ballot through the mail violates the state's constitution. The decision was only three pages long, with justices writing that a more formal opinion will be issued soon.

With the midterm election slated for Nov. 8, the Department of Election had intended to send mail ballots to voters on Oct. 10, which will now not happen.

The justices wrote in their ruling that the vote-by-mail legislation “impermissibly expands the categories of absentee voters identified” in the state constitution. The same-day registration law also conflicts with articles of the constitution, the justices wrote.

[Sky Jewels]

1. WTF?!

[CharleyDog]

2. What's going on in Delaware? I guess I assumed Delaware was not looney tunes suppressing votes as

as in " we really don't want people to vote, voting is not to be trusted, we must make it more difficult to vote, voting is not in our best interest, you must suffer to vote, and even then, your vote may not be counted because...*vague mumbling*

[moose65]

4. It must be in the Delaware state constitution

So an amendment would be necessary. Let me dig around and see what I can find in their constitution.

[moose65]

6. They're not "looney"

It's in their state constitution.

Back in the day, I'm sure that "absentee" voting was a noble thing - it was a way to make sure that military personnel or people who were literally going to be "absent" from the state on Election Day would still have a way to vote.

However, I'm sure this was written at a time where Early Voting or universal vote-by-mail wasn't yet a thing, and so now it's hindering voting. In the 21st century, to me it's crazy to try to force everyone to vote on the same day, with long lines and bad weather and who knows what else going on.

The Democrats in Delaware had tried to amend the Constitution but failed. Wonder what's up with that? Anyone from Delaware want to weigh in?

[I_UndergroundPanther]

3. The sooner 1 person 1 vote happens

And the electoral college eliminated and mail,in person or early is all the same,valid votes,the sonner the republican nightmare
Will end. They cant win with a fair vote.

[euphorb]

5. I looked at the Delaware Constitution.

It does provide that registration cannot occur less than 10 days before an election. So that part of the opinion seems sound. But although it lists the categories of people who must be allowed to obtain an absentee ballot, I don't see anything that says the legislature can't expand on that. So unless there's some general principles on the power of the legislature that would forbid this, that part of the opinion seems incorrect.