The push to revive legislation that would allow same-day voter registration in Delaware resurfaced Wednesday at Legislative Hall.
Several state chapters of organizations like Americans for Democratic Action, the Sierra Club and Delaware Alliance for Community Advancement were in Dover to champion the bill, currently awaiting action in the House.
Republican representatives say the measure could lead to voter fraud. Similar concerns helped kill a proposal last year that would’ve allowed residents to cast no-excuse absentee ballots.
Rep. John Kowalko (D-Newark South) refutes the fraud claim, saying there’s no indication it’s a serious problem in First State.
“Why should we feed into this negativity of, ‘Oh, people are going to come in and commit fraud.’ That’s not true. It’s not provable. It’s not even statistically acceptable to say that,” said Kowalko.
But the temperature of the Democratic caucus is difficult to gauge. Bill sponsor and House Majority Whip rep John Viola (D-Newark) says some House Democrats don’t want the proposal to apply to primary elections.
Critics say lawmakers advocating against including primaries are more worried about winning elections than increasing opportunities for residents to vote.
But Viola says he’s willing to exclude primaries to pass the bill, if necessary.
“You know, I’ve always been one that I don’t need the whole pie. Give me a piece of the pie. It’s a step forward,” said Viola.
He notes that either way, he believes the bill has the votes to pass the House. It’s unknown when it will come to the floor.
