HB 301 DE
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 15 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ELECTIONS AND CRIMINAL OFFENSES.
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Summary
This act updates Delaware's law on election-related criminal offenses. It prohibits violence, threats of violence, breach of peace, and intimidation of voters at or near polling places, election offices, ballot counting locations, and other places where votes are cast, stored, read, or counted, when done with the intent to impede or interfere with an election. The act also prohibits hindering, controlling, coercing, or intimidating qualified electors from exercising their right to vote. Violations are classified as class G felonies.
AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill (from the OpenStates abstract — no full text available yet) — neutral, and may be imperfect.
Official abstract
House Substitute No. 1 for House Bill No. 301, like the original, updates the existing crime of “breach of peace or violence on election day.” Under this statute, it is unlawful to take the following actions on a day of election or early in-person voting or during the reading and counting of ballots with the intent to impede or interfere with the election: (1) The use of any violence or threats of violence at or near a polling place, a Department of Elections office, a meeting of the Board of Canvass, or any other place where votes are cast, stored, read, or counted; (2) A breach of peace at or near the same places; and (3) Hindering, controlling, coercing, or intimidating or attempting to hinder, control, coerce, or intimidate any qualified elector from exercising their right to vote. A violation of the statute is a class G felony. This substitute differs from the original HB 301 in that it makes the intent to impede or interfere with the election an element of the crime for any of the prohibited acts. It also adds “any other place where votes are cast, stored, read, or counted” to the locations where the acts are prohibited. It adds the third act of “hindering, controlling, coercing or intimidating a voter" from or in exercising their right to vote as a prohibited act.
Sponsors (8)
- Eric Morrison Democratic · primary
- Josue O Ortega Democratic · primary
- Mara Gorman Democratic · primary
- Stell Parker Selby · primary
- Kerri Evelyn Harris Democratic · primary
- Cyndie Romer Democratic · primary
- David P. Sokola Democratic · primary
- Laura V. Sturgeon Democratic · primary
Action history (7)
- Mar 24, 2026 was introduced and adopted in lieu of HB 301 · lower
- Mar 26, 2026 Amendment HA 1 to HS 1 - Introduced and Placed With Bill · lower
- Mar 26, 2026 Amendment HA 1 to HS 1 - Passed In House by Voice Vote · lower
- Mar 26, 2026 Passed By House. Votes: 35 YES 5 NO 1 ABSENT · lower
- Mar 26, 2026 Assigned to Elections & Government Affairs Committee in Senate · upper
- Apr 15, 2026 Reported Out of Committee (Elections & Government Affairs) in Senate with 4 On Its Merits · upper
- Jun 23, 2026 Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES · upper
Full text
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