The First State is mourning the death of a former State Elections Commissioner on Election Day.
Elaine Manlove and her husband Wayne were killed in a crash on Route 13 near Red Lion Monday.The two were driving Route 13 northbound just north of the Route 1/13 split at Tybouts Corner shortly before 2 pm when a tractor trailer slammed them from behind while stopped at a red light.
The Manloves were treated at the scene, then taken to Christiana Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
Manlove was Delaware’s Elections Commissioner for 12 years before retiring in June 2019. She served as the head of the New Castle County Elections before that.
"Elaine was a consummate public servant, a visionary and incredibly committed to honest and secure elections," said Sen. Tom Carper in a stastement. "It’s a cruel irony that her passing occurred on the eve of Election Day after she dedicated her life to protecting the integrity of the elections we hold so dear."
Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings called it tragic news.
Elaine served all of the people in Delaware equally. And my memories of her are no matter when you called her, asked her a question, or needed something, she was there for you. Always kind. Always helpful to others. Always put you first," said Jennings. "We are so very sad."
"Elaine Manlove dedicated her tenure as the Commissioner of Elections to preserving the sanctity of the vote here in the First State," said Delaware Democratic Party chair ERrik Raser-Schramm. "Former Delaware Democratic Party Chairman John Daniello recommended her for that post because he knew her forward-thinking commitment for free and fair elections would serve Delawareans well. Because of her hard work, Delaware continues to be a model for the nation on how to run elections."
When she retired, Manlove pointed to the state’s purchase of new voting machines as her biggest accomplishment while in office. Those machines are being used for the first time here in 2020.
Gov. Carney says that simply added to news he says left him “heartbroken.”
This election meant so much to her because of the new machine that she had been part of acquiring. She was so proud when she first showed them to me a little bit over a year ago and demonstrated them at the warehouse," said Carney. "Notwithstanding whatever happens today, I’m just going to have a heavy heart.”
Elaine Manlove was 72-years-old. Her husband Wayne was 75.
This story has been updated.
