Delaware Supreme Court upholds early voting
The Delaware Supreme Court has reversed a February Superior Court decision that struck down early voting and permanent absentee voting.
In a unanimous ruling, Justice Gary Traynor stated that plaintiffs, including State Senate Minority Leader Gerald Hocker, lacked standing to challenge the statutes.
The court did not address the constitutional arguments against these voting methods due to the lack of standing.
Attorney General Kathy Jennings welcomed the decision, emphasizing the importance of allowing the voting process to proceed without further legal disruptions.
“I do not think that there is a valid reason to bring another lawsuit, a whole new lawsuit, and certainly not one that would in any way disrupt the people’s right to vote in our state,” Jennings said.
However, the plaintiffs’ attorney, former Delaware Superior Court Judge Jane Brady, indicated that new lawsuits could be filed by other candidates.
The Delaware Department of Elections confirmed that early voting and permanent absentee voting will be available for the Sept. 10 primary and Nov. 5 general elections.
While some Republicans expressed frustration that the constitutional issue went unaddressed, Democratic leaders expressed gratitude for the ruling.
Jennings and Gov. John Carney reiterated the need for these voting rights in the state constitution to ensure their permanence.
Bethany Hall-Long campaign finance violations
A Delaware Department of Elections report found that Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long has violated several state campaign finance laws since 2016.
The report, produced by former FBI official Jeffrey Lampinski, found discrepancies in an independent audit conducted by Hall-Long’s campaign.
First reported by the AP and WHYY, it included $91,000 in undisclosed payments to her husband, Dana Long, who served as the campaign treasurer.
Hall-Long stated that her family loaned the campaign more money than was reimbursed and claimed the discrepancies have been addressed.
However, New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer, one of Hall-Long’s Democratic opponents in the governor’s race, criticized her actions as corrupt. Another opponent, Collin O’Mara, called for greater transparency and reform of campaign finance laws.
Jennings agreed with the decision not to pursue charges, citing the narrow scope of Delaware’s campaign finance laws, but called for legislative reform to close loopholes.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Ramone expressed disappointment with the political infighting, while State Rep. Madinah Wilson-Anton and former Democratic Party Chair Erik Raser-Schramm called for Hall-Long to withdraw from the race.
Recreational marijuana
The Office of the Marijuana Commissioner in Delaware will begin accepting license applications on Aug. 19 for those interested in joining the recreational marijuana market.
This comes nearly a year after adult-use recreational marijuana was legalized in the state.
Applications are required to include a business plan, safety and security measures, operational and staffing plans and any relevant legal history.
Eligible applications will enter a lottery overseen by the marijuana commissioner in late October 2024.
The state will distribute 60 cultivation licenses, 30 manufacturing licenses, 30 retail licenses and five testing facility licenses, with some designated for microlicenses and social equity applicants.
Applicants have until Sept. 30 to submit the necessary paperwork.
New legislation has facilitated this process, including moving medical marijuana services under the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner.
The new legislation also allows medical dispensaries to enter the recreational market early for a $200,000 licensing fee.
Proceeds from these conversion licenses will support social equity programs. Legal protections for banks engaging with the marijuana market have also been included.
Carney allowed the recreational marijuana legislation to pass without his signature in 2023.