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Bethany Beach sets Sept. 12 election date and moves polling hours to 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Summary
Council set the town election for Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, confirmed candidate filing deadline of 4:30 p.m. on July 29, and voted to change polling hours from noon–6 p.m. to 10 a.m.–4 p.m., citing steadier turnout observed under the earlier schedule in prior votes.
The Town of Bethany Beach council set the town council election date for Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, under the charter provision making the election the first Saturday after Labor Day. Council also set the candidate filing deadline for 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
Council voted to change polling hours from the current noon–6 p.m. window to 10 a.m.–4 p.m., noting the town is required to provide six hours of polling but may set the specific start and end times. Council members who previously used the 10 a.m. start observed steady turnout and a line at opening: “At 10:00, there was a line of people waiting,” one member said.
The motion to adopt the new hours carried by voice vote. Council also approved the slate of election-board members and officers, most of whom will repeat prior service, and set the council organization meeting for Monday, Sept. 21, 2026 at 10 a.m., per charter requirements.
Practical details: candidate packets and filing instructions are to be available at the town manager’s office; council affirmed the charter-based procedures for appointments and the post-election organization meeting.
