Vote-by-mail ruled unconstitutional by Delaware Supreme Court

2022 Rewind: Supreme Court strikes down vote-by-mail

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

This story was originally published in October 2022. In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court of Delaware has ruled the state’s mail-in voting and same-day voter registration statutes unconstitutional. Neither will be allowed in the Nov. 8 general election. The ruling, which came just one day after oral arguments, is a major defeat for Gov. John Carney and Delaware Democrats. …

Superior Court Judge William Carpenter Jr.

Longest-serving Superior Court judge to retire

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Delaware’s longest-serving Superior Court judge will retire after 30 years on the bench, court administrators announced Wednesday. Judge William Carpenter Jr. will step down Dec. 31, 2022, he said in a letter to Gov. John Carney in October. “While it is always difficult to walk away from a job that you have found so rewarding, my time has come,” Carpenter …

Supreme Court of Delaware

DE Supreme Court explains decision to overturn vote-by-mail

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

In a 69-page decision that cited versions of Delaware constitutions dating back to 1776, the state’s Supreme Court this week explained its ruling overturning mail-in voting and same-day voter registration laws passed by the General Assembly earlier this year.  The state’s highest court in October unanimously ruled the statutes unconstitutional but issued an abbreviated order due to time constraints imposed …

Delaware Supreme Court Justice James T. Vaughn

Longtime Delaware Supreme Court justice to retire

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Delaware’s second longest-serving Supreme Court justice will retire in May 2023. Justice James T. Vaughn, Jr., 73, announced his decision Tuesday. “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve since 1998 as a Superior Court judge and Supreme Court Justice,” Vaughn said in a letter to Gov. John Carney. “I will always appreciate the memories of working with …

Kathy McGuiness appeal

No jail time for ‘deeply remorseful’ McGuiness

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Delaware state Auditor Kathy McGuiness will not see the inside of a jail cell after being sentenced on two misdemeanor public corruption charges Wednesday. Prosecutors asked the judge to impose a 30-day prison sentence. Instead, she’ll face one year of probation, a $10,000 fine, and 500 hours of community service. McGuiness plans to appeal her convictions to the Delaware Supreme …

McGuiness

McGuiness to be sentenced Wednesday

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Delaware State Auditor Kathy McGuiness will be sentenced Wednesday on two misdemeanor charges. In July, McGuiness was found guilty of conflict of interest, official misconduct, and structuring to avoid compliance with procurement law. The structuring charge was later dismissed by the judge. Each conviction comes with a possible prison term of one year, though political observers believe her punishment will …

Supreme Court of Delaware

Supreme Court hears voting cases; opinion to come later

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The fate of Delaware’s mail-in voting and same-day registration statutes — and Delawareans’ ability to do both in the Nov. 8 general election — rests in the hands of the Delaware Supreme Court. The court heard oral arguments on the matter Thursday in Dover.  Depending on its decision, the vote-by-mail statute passed by the General Assembly in July and deemed …

Delaware early voting and primary

Delaware Supreme Court to hear vote-by-mail appeal Thursday

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The Delaware Supreme Court on Thursday will consider whether the state’s new mail-in voting law violates the Delaware Constitution. The Department of Elections appealed an earlier ruling from the Delaware Court of Chancery deeming the law unconstitutional. RELATED: Delaware judge halts mail-in voting “My injunction in this matter was compelled by an advisory decision from five decades ago that, in …

Vote by mail

Mail-in voting lawsuits set for court hearing Wednesday

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Two lawsuits challenging Delaware’s mail-in voting system will be the subject of a hearing in the Delaware Court of Chancery Wednesday.  The suits were brought on behalf of numerous plaintiffs by GOP chair Jane Brady and Republican candidate for attorney general Julianne Murray. Brady and Murray are representing the plaintiffs in their capacities as private attorneys — not on behalf …

gun groups

State gun groups sue over semi-automatic gun ban

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The Delaware State Sportsmen’s Association and three other firearm advocacy groups have filed a federal lawsuit seeking to halt a new law that bans semi-automatic firearms in the First State. “On June 30, 2022, Governor John Carney signed House Bill 450 into law, effectively and immediately banning a long list of commonly owned rifles, shotguns and pistols, pejoratively and inaccurately …