Delawareans would be able to vote early, would be automatically registered to vote at the DMV, and would vote in local primary elections and presidential primary at the same time if a trio of bills passes the General Assembly. The goal of all three proposals is to encourage more people to vote, the sponsors say. Rep. David Bentz, D-Christiana, sponsored a bill that would allow citizens to vote in the 10 days leading up to any general, primary or special election. There would be one early-voting polling place in each county, plus one in Wilmington. “We should try to make it so that our elections fit into the people’s schedules, and not where people should have to fit their schedule into the government’s,” Bentz said.
There are 34 states that offer early voting, including Maryland and New Jersey.
Bentz has sponsored legislation that would allow the Department of Motor Vehicles to automatically sign people up to vote.
Currently, a person who is obtaining a Delaware driver’s license or registering a vehicle can choose to send their information to the Department of Elections to register. Bentz’s bill would change the process from “opt-in” to “opt-out,” meaning the person would be registered unless they choose not to do so.
Full Article: Bills would move local primaries; allow for early voting.