Delaware

Slay the Dragon Logo

SLAY THE DRAGON follows everyday people, outraged by what they see as an attack on the core democratic principle that every person’s vote should count equally. This election year, we’re joining together with grassroots partners to put an end to gerrymandering. Because this issue impacts each state differently, we’ve created a map to help you navigate how gerrymandering affects your state and community. SLAY THE DRAGON arrives on demand April 3.

 

GET CAUGHT UP

Click on your state in the map above to find out what’s going on and how you can help.

We are partnering with organizations in Michigan, Colorado, Wisconsin to support the creation of non-partisan redistricting commissions to protect votes across the country.

Map of the United States of America

Click on your state in the map above to find out what’s going on and how you can help.

We are partnering with organizations in Michigan, Colorado, Wisconsin to support the creation of non-partisan redistricting commissions to protect votes across the country.

Slay the Dragon Logo

SLAY THE DRAGON follows everyday people, outraged by what they see as an attack on the core democratic principle that every person’s vote should count equally. This election year, we’re joining together with grassroots partners to put an end to gerrymandering. Because this issue impacts each state differently, we’ve created a map to help you navigate how gerrymandering affects your state and community. SLAY THE DRAGON arrives on demand April 3.

 

GET CAUGHT UP

Click on your state in the map above to find out what’s going on and how you can help.

We are partnering with organizations in Michigan, Colorado, Wisconsin to support the creation of non-partisan redistricting commissions to protect votes across the country.

Map of the United States of America

Click on your state in the map above to find out what’s going on and how you can help.

We are partnering with organizations in Michigan, Colorado, Wisconsin to support the creation of non-partisan redistricting commissions to protect votes across the country.

Delaware

Process

State Legislature

In Delaware, state legislative districts are drawn by the Legislature by ordinary statute, and are subject to the Governor's veto. The Legislature can override vetoes with a three-fifths majority in each chamber. Delaware has only one at-large congressional district, so there is no congressional redistricting.

Criteria

In addition to the federal requirements of one person, one vote and the Voting Rights Act, Delaware’s state constitution (Art II § 2A) requires that state legislative districts be contiguous and not “unduly favor any person or political party.”

In 2010, Delaware passed HB 384, ending the practice of prison gerrymandering and reassigning currently incarcerated populations to their last-known place of residence for the purpose of redistricting.

Public Input

In the 2011 redistricting cycle, the state Senate and House both committed to an open and transparent redistricting process. The Senate unanimously passed a bill to subject all redistricting information to the Freedom of Information Act, and the House opened a four-week public comment period in April 2011 to solicit written suggestions, requests, and plans by email and mail. After the Legislature released draft maps, it held two public hearings in May and June for feedback. A similar public input process is likely in 2021.

Issues

Pitfalls

Both chambers of the Legislature and the Governorship are currently controlled by Democrats. The Governorship is up for election in November 2020. A Democratic win would lead to continued single-party control over redistricting, which increases the risk of partisan gerrymandering.

Census Delays

The Census Bureau may delay sending population data to states until as late as July 31, 2021. In the case of delay, Delaware would likely need to take formal action to adjust the statutory redistricting deadline.

Reform

In recent years, two different redistricting bills have been proposed:

  • Senate Bill 27, sponsored by Sen. Townsend (D) in 2017, would have created an Independent Redistricting Commission consisting of nine members, three of each major political party and three unaffiliated with either. Additionally, three of the members must be current or former attorneys or judges. SB27 passed the Senate with a 12-7 vote, but the House took no further action on the bill. House Bill 309, sponsored by Rep. Smith (R) in 2020, would create a new approach to redistricting that would “leverag[e] partisan self-interest to create a protocol that results in an equitable outcome.” The process would involve two partisan caucuses that freeze and redraw districts until all are defined. The bill was left pending in the House Administration Committee when the Legislature adjourned on June 30, 2020.

Actions

In 2020, support state legislative candidates who favor fair districting. 

In 2021, participate in the Legislature’s public input process.

  • Obtain Delaware redistricting data from OpenPrecincts.
  • Start to plan out what defines your community – whether it’s a shared economic interest, school districts, or other social or other cultural, historical, or economic interests – and how that can be represented on a map. This will come in handy once the Legislature starts collecting feedback.
  • Use software tools such as Dave's Redistricting App and Districtr to draw district maps showing either (a) what a fair map would look like, or (b) where the community you believe should be better represented is located.

If you find fault with the final maps submitted by the Legislature, you have the right to appeal to the Delaware Superior Court. Any Delaware voter has 30 days to file an application to “compel correction of any error in redistricting and reapportioning” (Art. II § 2A).

Read the Common Cause Activist Handbook on Redistricting Reform to learn about what reforms have been successful in the past, and what steps to take to enact reform in the future. While the deadline to change the constitutional process for this redistricting cycle has passed, it is never too early to plan and organize for reforms.

Contacts

Princeton Gerrymandering Project Data provided by the Princeton Gerrymandering Project

State Info

State Boundaries: Drawn by legislature
Legislative Control: Democratic
Governor's Political Party: Democratic
Last Updated: Oct 13 2020