Delaware elections office wins funding for warehouse expansion, presses for higher stipends and expanded voter outreach

State Treasurer Committee members heard Feb. 6 that the Delaware Department of Elections accepted the governor—s recommended budget and that the package includes money for a roughly 25% expansion of the New Castle County elections warehouse, a move the agency said will ease storage of new voting equipment and early-voting materials.

The department—s commissioner, identified in testimony as Commissioner Albin, told the Joint Finance Committee the expansion will free space the agency has filled over about 12 years as voting equipment, poll books and training centers have grown. "We're very excited that this year the expansion of the New Castle County warehouse was included, which was a significant need," Albin said.

The commissioner asked the committee to consider one item that was not recommended: an increase in the annual stipend paid to county boards of election. Albin said a previous increase implemented last year was less than $100 per board member and that county board members now do more work year-round for elections. "Our board members are doing more. They're meeting generally every month," Albin said, describing the request as recognition for added duties.

Why this matters: The warehouse expansion and outreach funding affect where and how Delaware stores equipment for elections and how the state reaches voters. Stipends and poll-worker pay relate to recruiting and retaining people who staff polling places and certify…