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Georgetown council adopts ordinance to align absentee-voting rules with Delaware law
Summary
The Georgetown Town Council approved Ordinance 2025-05 on second reading to update absentee ballot and voter-registration provisions to match Delaware code and to require more detailed recordkeeping for absentee ballots; the vote was unanimous in this session.
The Georgetown Town Council approved Ordinance 2025-05 on second reading, revising the towncode—or absentee voting and voter-registration procedures to conform with Delaware law.
Town Manager Gene DeWarny told the council the ordinance "deals with absentee voter and voter registration," explaining it amends Section 39-1 to expand permissible reasons for absentee ballots to include any reason permitted under Delaware law and replaces the affidavit form to be compliant with the Delaware code. He said Section 3 will require the town to maintain the elector's name, the address established by the elector, the address where the ballot will be mailed, the date and statement when the affidavit is received, municipal election district (if applicable), the ballot envelope identification number, and the dates the ballot was mailed or returned.
Councilmembers questioned whether the ordinance changes who is eligible to vote in town elections or how close to election day a resident must be registered. Legal counsel and the manager said the amendment does not alter voter qualifications; if a resident is not on the state-supplied voter list they must establish eligibility under the charter to vote. The council recorded that the change primarily updates forms and recordkeeping to match state requirements.
After discussion a motion to adopt the ordinance on second reading was made and seconded. The council approved the ordinance in a roll-call/voice vote, with each ward recorded as "aye." The ordinance was adopted during the meeting and will bring town practice and forms into alignment with Delaware Department of Elections procedures.
The council did not provide a text of the new affidavit form in the meeting but the manager indicated the change is intended to ensure compliance with state filing and recordkeeping standards. The council did not record any dissent in this session.
What happens next: The ordinance was adopted on second reading at this meeting. The town said the new form and recordkeeping procedures will be implemented consistent with Delaware code and with the town's charter.
