Delaware 149th General Assembly (2017-2018) Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 1 D · 1 R cosponsors

HB 446 — AN ACT PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE V OF THE DELAWARE CONSTITUTION RELATING TO VOTING, QUALIFICATIONS FOR VOTING, AND FORFEITURE OF RIGHT TO VOTE.

Last action — Defeated By House. Votes: 26 YES 14 NO 1 ABSENT

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 149th General Assembly (2017-2018). It reached “In Committee” 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This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis.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

This constitutional amendment removes outdated constitutional language related to voter qualifications. The voting age has been 18 since the 1970's under federal law which superseded state law. Additionally this constitutional amendment clarifies the General Assembly's authority to enact general laws relating to voting by absentee ballot.

Bill Text

Action History

  1. Defeated By House. Votes: 26 YES 14 NO 1 ABSENT

  2. Amendment HA 1 to HB 446 - Defeated By House. Votes: 16 YES 24 NO 1 ABSENT

  3. Reported Out of Committee (Administration) in House with 5 On Its Merits

  4. Introduced and Assigned to Administration Committee in House

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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4 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 58 not signed on · 14 voted No

Sponsors (4)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (58)

58 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 58 →

"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.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

2/3

Failed 26 Yea · 14 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 19600
Democratic 7000
Republican 0801
Total 261401
% of votes cast 63%34%0%2%
How each member voted (41)
Member Party Vote
Andria L. Bennett — Yea
Bryon H. Short — Yea
Charles Potter Jr. — Yea
David Bentz — Yea
Deborah Hudson — Nay
Earl G. Jaques Jr. — Yea
Gerald L. Brady — Yea
Harvey R. Kenton — Nay
Helene M. Keeley — Yea
James Johnson — Yea
John A. Kowalko — Yea
John J. Viola — Yea
John L. Mitchell — Yea
Joseph E. Miro — Nay
Melanie George Smith — Yea
Michael Mulrooney — Yea
Michael Ramone — Nay
Paul S. Baumbach — Yea
Peter C. Schwartzkopf — Yea
Quinton Johnson — Yea
Ruth Briggs King — Yea
Sean Matthews — Yea
Stephen Smyk — Nay
Valerie Longhurst — Yea
William R. Outten — Nay
Debra Heffernan Democratic Yea
Edward S. Osienski Democratic Yea
Kimberly Williams Democratic Yea
Sean M. Lynn Democratic Yea
Stephanie T. Bolden Democratic Yea
Trey Paradee Democratic Yea
William J. Carson Democratic Yea
Charles S Postles Jr. Republican Nay
Daniel B. Short Republican Nay
David L. Wilson Republican Nay
Jeffrey N. Spiegelman Republican Nay
Kevin S Hensley Republican Nay
Lyndon D. Yearick Republican Nay
Richard G. Collins Republican Nay
Ronald E. Gray Republican Not Voting
Timothy D. Dukes Republican Nay

Official roll call →

Subjects

elections
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Frequently asked questions

What does HB 446 do?
This constitutional amendment removes outdated constitutional language related to voter qualifications. The voting age has been 18 since the 1970's under federal law which superseded state law. Additionally this constitutional amendment clarifies the General Assembly's authority to enact general laws relating to voting by absentee ballot.
Who sponsors HB 446?
HB 446 is sponsored by Stephanie L. Hansen (Democratic), Brian Pettyjohn (Republican), Earl G. Jaques Jr., and Ruth Briggs King.
What is the current status of HB 446?
This bill died with 149th General Assembly (2017-2018). It reached “In Committee” 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 446?
Track HB 446 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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