Delaware courts uphold absentee voting and campaign finance laws

Delaware courts have issued rulings upholding key state election and campaign finance regulations. The Delaware Court of Chancery rejected a constitutional challenge to the state’s permanent absentee voting law. The challenge was brought by State Senator Gerald Hocker and Steven Washington, who argued the statute was unconstitutional. The court determined the law does not violate the state constitution because it does not expand the circumstances under which a voter may cast an absentee ballot.

Additionally, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit denied an interlocutory appeal from the Americans for Prosperity Foundation (AFP). The group had sued Attorney General Kathy Jennings and Elections Commissioner Anthony Albence to nullify Delaware’s disclosure rules for third-party campaign advertisers. These rules require the disclosure of identities for individuals or groups contributing more than $100 to support independent expenditure spending. The denial returns the case to the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware.