DelawareHB 444153rd General Assembly (2024–2026)House

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 15 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE DELAWARE JOHN LEWIS VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

Sponsored By: Larry Lambert (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

More language help for Delaware voters

Local election offices must provide language help when more than 2% of voting-age citizens—and at least 100—need the same non-English language, or more than 1,000 do. Limited English ability means speaking, reading, or understanding English less than “very well.” The Department of Elections publishes the required-office list each January 1; designations take effect on publication, and people can request additional designations. Listed offices must provide competent help and equally good translated election materials, not rely only on automatic translation; unwritten languages allow oral-only help, and live translation is required when available. The law also extends an existing voting provision to people with limited English who speak another language.

More ways to enforce voting rights

Affected people, qualifying organizations, and Delaware’s Attorney General can sue; members of different protected groups can file together. Organizations can qualify through their members, mission, resources, or advocacy and generally need not reveal members’ names. Courts can protect confidential records, including keeping them sealed indefinitely, and related Chapter 51 cases do not block these suits. Lawsuits generally require 50 days’ advance notice describing the violation, remedy, and facts; urgent relief, prior similar notice, futility, and certain election-board decisions allow exceptions. For upcoming elections, courts must grant temporary relief when success is more likely than not and a remedy does not substantially increase voting or counting risks.

Stronger voting access for minority voters

The law protects racial, color, and language-minority groups, including qualifying combined groups, across state and local election rules. Officials cannot use practices that cause, or likely cause, major gaps in these groups’ voting access or participation. Voters do not need to prove intent to discriminate. A government defense requires clear and convincing evidence of an important, specific need and no alternative causing a smaller gap. Courts must read voting laws broadly to favor registration, casting and counting ballots, and relief from discrimination.

Stronger voting power for minority voters

Local governments cannot use election methods that weaken racial, color, or language-minority voters’ equal chance to choose candidates. A claim can rest on voting patterns divided by race or the full set of relevant circumstances. A legally available change must likely reduce the harm to voters’ ability to nominate or elect their preferred candidates. Proof of intent and a minimum group size are not required. Courts weigh discrimination history, representation, participation gaps, candidate barriers, government responsiveness, and related factors without requiring a fixed score.

Voters gain protection from election interference

No person may intimidate, deceive, or obstruct voters in ways that interfere with voting or reasonably threaten such interference. The ban covers force, threats, and reckless false messages about election logistics or eligibility. It also covers blocking access to polling places, election offices, or voters. Voting rights include registration and authorized ways to cast a ballot.

Voting remedies bring fees and damages

Courts must order tailored relief for violations, including extra time to vote when appropriate. Remedies can change districts, election methods, body size, staggered elections, voting sites or hours, voter rolls, and education, or require special elections. Changes must reach the next relevant election when possible; constitutional remedies can override conflicting municipal rules. Violators and those helping them owe winning plaintiffs legal fees and damages; compensatory or punitive damages require intent. Court-ordered remedy cases allow reasonable legal fees and costs without a dollar cap, with written claims and financial records; language-help cases also allow fees after a win or voluntary assistance added after suit.

Voters get hearings on election fixes

After a notice letter, complaint, or lawsuit, local governments planning voluntary election changes must hold at least one public hearing. They must publish notice at least three weeks ahead and reach out to affected groups, including language-minority groups. After adopting a remedy, they must hold at least one public event explaining the changes. Notice of that event must appear on the Board of Elections webpage and social media pages at least three weeks ahead.

Voting notice senders can recover costs

A sender of a qualifying notice letter can seek repayment when a local government then voluntarily changes an election rule. The local government pays reasonable costs of producing and sending the letter. Claims are capped at $60,000, adjusted for changes in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. Senders must file written claims with financial records. Legal fees are limited to a calculation based on reasonable hours and hourly rates.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Larry Lambert
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

Alonna Berry
Democratic • House
Stephanie T. Bolden
Democratic • House
Frank Burns
Democratic • House
William Bush
Democratic • House
Nnamdi O. Chukwuocha
Democratic • House
Franklin D. Cooke
Democratic • House
Daniel Cruce
Democratic • Senate
Mara Gorman
Democratic • House
Krista Griffith
Democratic • House
Kerri Evelyn Harris
Democratic • House
Kyra L. Hoffner
Democratic • Senate
Russell Huxtable
Democratic • Senate
Kimberly Williams
Democratic • House
Kamela T Smith
Democratic • House
S. Elizabeth Lockman
Democratic • Senate
Melissa Minor-Brown
Democratic • House
Eric Morrison
Democratic • House
DeShanna U Neal
Democratic • House
Josue O Ortega
Democratic • House
Sophie Phillips
Democratic • House
Marie Pinkney
Democratic • Senate
Bryant L. Richardson
Republican • Senate
Cyndie Romer
Democratic • House
Melanie Ross Levin
Democratic • House
Ray Seigfried
Democratic • Senate
David P. Sokola
Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 50 • No: 11

Senate vote • 6/30/2026

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 21 • No: 0

House vote • 6/18/2026