A legislative task force approved a proposal Wednesday that would consolidate the state’s three county election boards into one state panel. The six-member Election Law Task Force, made up of two Republicans, two Democrats and the governor’s legal counsel, was formed specifically to comprehensively review Delaware Code on election protocol. The members voted 4-1 on the proposal by Rep. Earl Jaques, D-Glasgow, that creates an 11-member state elections board and eliminates election boards in Kent, Sussex and New Castle counties. Sen. Colin Bonini, R-Dover, was not present at the meeting.
The proposed bipartisan board would include two representatives from New Castle County, two from Kent, two from Sussex, two from the city of Wilmington, two at-large members and the state elections commissioner, currently Elaine Manlove.
Five Democrats and five Republicans would have to be appointed. All representatives would be appointed by the governor and serve four-year terms, Rep. Jaques said.
House Minority Whip Deborah Hudson, R-Fairthorne, asked if there would be a revolt from the state’s lower counties since both New Castle County and Wilmington would have representation on the new board.
Full Article: Panel OKs election boards consolidation – Delaware Newszap.