HB 89 — AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 15 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PRIMARY ELECTIONS.
Last action — Reported Out of Committee (Elections & Government Affairs) in Senate with 3 On Its Merits
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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3Passed House
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4Passed Senate
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5To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill died with 149th General Assembly (2017-2018). It reached “Passed House” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.
Summary
Section 1 of this bill moves the date of primary elections for statewide office, county office, and municipal office to the fourth Tuesday in April, which is the date of the presidential primary (in presidential election years). The dates for submitting and withdrawing notification of candidacy have been adjusted accordingly. Section 2 of the bill changes the deadline for a minor political party selecting its candidate at the party’s convention. Section 3 of the bill changes the deadline for filing certificates of nomination from September 1st to April 1st. Section 4 changes the “closed” period in which a voter is not allowed to change his or her political affiliation to match the 60-day limit in 15 Del. C. § 3189 for presidential primaries.
Bill Text
- Bill Text View text Current pdf
Action History
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Reported Out of Committee (Elections & Government Affairs) in Senate with 3 On Its Merits
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Amendment SA 1 to HB 89 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
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Assigned to Elections & Government Affairs Committee in Senate
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Passed By House. Votes: 34 YES 6 NO 1 ABSENT
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Amendment HA 1 to HB 89 - Passed In House by Voice Vote
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Amendment HA 1 to HB 89 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
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Reported Out of Committee (House Administration) in House with 5 On Its Merits
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Introduced and Assigned to House Administration Committee in House
Sponsors
- Stephanie T. Bolden · Primary
- Brian Pettyjohn · Primary
- Daniel B. Short · Primary
- Timothy D. Dukes · Cosponsor
- Debra Heffernan · Cosponsor
- David L. Wilson · Cosponsor
- Michael Ramone · Cosponsor
- John A. Kowalko · Cosponsor
- Harvey R. Kenton · Cosponsor
- Paul S. Baumbach · Cosponsor
- Valerie Longhurst · Cosponsor
- Peter C. Schwartzkopf · Cosponsor
- Brian J. Bushweller · Cosponsor
- Margaret Rose Henry · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →4 sponsors · 10 co-sponsors · 48 not signed on · 6 voted No
Sponsors (4)
- Stephanie T. Bolden Democratic
- Brian Pettyjohn Republican
- Daniel B. Short Republican
- Margaret Rose Henry
Co-sponsors (10)
- Timothy D. Dukes Republican
- Debra Heffernan Democratic
- David L. Wilson Republican
- Michael Ramone
- John A. Kowalko
- Harvey R. Kenton
- Paul S. Baumbach
- Valerie Longhurst
- Peter C. Schwartzkopf
- Brian J. Bushweller
Not signed on (48)
48 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 48 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 19 | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| Democratic | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 34 | 6 | 0 | 1 |
| % of votes cast | 83% | 15% | 0% | 2% |
How each member voted (41)
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does HB 89 do?
- Section 1 of this bill moves the date of primary elections for statewide office, county office, and municipal office to the fourth Tuesday in April, which is the date of the presidential primary (in presidential election years). The dates for submitting and withdrawing notification of candidacy have been adjusted accordingly. Section 2 of the bill changes the deadline for a minor political party selecting its candidate at the party’s convention. Section 3 of the bill changes the deadline for filing certificates of nomination from September 1st to April 1st. Section 4 changes the “closed” period in which a voter is not allowed to change his or her political affiliation to match the 60-day limit in 15 Del. C. § 3189 for presidential primaries.
- Who sponsors HB 89?
- HB 89 is sponsored by Stephanie T. Bolden (Democratic), Brian Pettyjohn (Republican), Daniel B. Short (Republican), Timothy D. Dukes (Republican), Debra Heffernan (Democratic), David L. Wilson (Republican), Michael Ramone, John A. Kowalko, Harvey R. Kenton, Paul S. Baumbach, Valerie Longhurst, Peter C. Schwartzkopf, Brian J. Bushweller, and Margaret Rose Henry.
- What is the current status of HB 89?
- This bill died with 149th General Assembly (2017-2018). It reached “Passed House” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
- Where can I track HB 89?
- Track HB 89 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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Last checked for changes 2 months ago · updated continuously
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