Latest news with #special election
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hoping to cast a ballot in the special election? Here's how to register in Delaware
Just when you thought you were out, a special election pulls you back in. Residents living in the Milton and Lewes areas will have their pick between Democrat and community leader Alonna Berry and Republican and longtime educator Nikki Miller in the Aug. 5 special election to succeed former Rep. Stell Parker Selby in the Delaware House of Representatives. Many of those same voters are still rebounding from last year's election season, where the First State saw record-breaking numbers for early voting during the 2024 presidential election. An in-depth look: Who's on the ballot? Meet the special election candidates running for Parker Selby's seat This isn't even the first special election held this year. Two special elections were held earlier this year to help fill the state Senate district seats left vacant by now-U.S. Congresswoman Sarah McBride and now-Lt. Gov. Kyle Evans Gay. You must be a registered voter to participate in First State general, primary and special elections. But how does one actually register to vote in Delaware? Requirements to register to vote in Delaware To register, you must be 18 years of age or older 'on or before the date of the next General Election,' a U.S. citizen and a resident of Delaware, according to the state Department of Elections. For a special election in particular, you must be 18 years of age or older on the day of or before the election, registered to vote at least 10 days before and must reside in the representative district in which the vacancy took place. Where to register to vote in Delaware Delawareans can register online via the state Voter Portal, in person at any Elections Department office in Delaware or at a voter registration event held by a state Organized Voter Registration Program group with trained registrars. In other legislative news: This new bill would legalize wine shipments to Delawareans. What to know about HB 187 You can also contact the Elections Department and have them send an application directly to you to fill out and submit. Or, if you're short on time, you can instead download, print, fill out and turn in an application back either via email, mail, fax or in person. Aside from the Elections Department, you also have the option to register to vote or update your information at a wide range of state government or other state-based offices. These include: The state Division of Motor Vehicles. You can do so when you are applying for, renewing or modifying your driver's license or state ID. State Department of Health and Social Services service centers when applying for resources. Higher education institutions when registering for classes. What documents do you need to register to vote in Delaware? You have to present one of the following documents along with your completed application: Your state driver's license or ID card. A copy of a government or related document that shows both your name and place of residence. This can include a recent bank statement, paycheck or utility bill. What's the latest you can register to vote in Delaware before an election? It depends on the election. For general and primary elections, you must be registered to vote by 'the [fourth] Saturday' before the election takes place. For the upcoming special election, residents must be registered by Saturday, July 26 at 11:59 p.m. to be eligible. Can I update my voter registration? Yes, you can update your voter record any time before an election or at your designated polling location on Election Day. Related: Delaware lawmakers push for felon voting rights, early voting rules with these bills How to change your political affiliation in Delaware? You can pick a political party affiliation when you register to vote. If you do not choose one, you will be registered as 'no party.' (For primary elections, you must be registered as a Democrat or a Republican.) You can change your affiliation online or complete and submit a form in person or download, fill out and submit a registration form to the Department with your new affiliation listed. You can also call your county Department office and have an application mailed to you to fill out and present with your new affiliation, or you can do so in person at a department office. Voters can also update their information in the event of a name change or a new place of residency. What else do I need to do? Once you've registered, you are responsible for keeping your voter information up to date. To cancel your voter registration, you can fill out a request online or print and send the form back to the department office for your county. For more information on registration and updates, please visit the Elections Department website. How we got here: Special election for Rep. Parker Selby's seat is set. Who's on the ballot and what's next? When is the special election? The special election to fill Parker-Selby's seat will take place on Aug. 5. Early voting will take place on the following dates: July 24-26 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 28-29 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 30 to Aug. 3 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. No early voting will take place on July 27. Early voters can cast their ballots at Mariner Middle School in Milton. Like in a general election, registered voters in Representative District 20 can vote via absentee ballot or in person, either at an early polling site or on the day of the election. Olivia Montes covers state government and community impact for Delaware Online/The News Journal. If you have a tip or a story idea, reach out to her at omontes@ This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: How to register to vote, update voter information in Delaware Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Who's on the ballot? Meet the special election candidates running for Parker Selby's seat
One Delaware House member has left, another will soon take their place. Following Stell Parker Selby's resignation in June, a special election was called to find a candidate to fill the remainder of the term for the Milton- and Lewes-area district. Sussex County political parties have named nominees for the upcoming race. Democrat: Delaware Center for Justice Executive Director Alonna Berry Republican: longtime educator and community leader Nikki Miller Here's what you need to know about the candidates for the Representative House District 20 seat. How we got here: Special election for Rep. Parker Selby's seat is set. Who's on the ballot and what's next? Alonna Berry, Democrat Alonna Berry isn't running to just to sit in a seat; she's running because she is 'ready to show up' for her district. A self-described 'multi-generational Sussex Countian,' Berry is running to 'fight for the heart of Sussex' but also out of a love for her community and a desire to help make it better for her children and her children's children. 'This is about more than just me,' she said. 'It's also about legacy, my family and my lineage.' Among her key priorities, Berry supports achieving high-quality education, workforce development, support for local businesses and broadening access to restorative justice and related alternative programming. She is also focused on bracing for statewide federal budget cuts and working alongside legislators on both sides of the political aisle to ensure community protection. More: Delaware House Rep. Stell Parker Selby submits letter of resignation, citing health reasons She also has a slew of government and related experience under her belt, having served as a senior policy adviser for health, equity and education under former Gov. John Carney and as Delaware's 'first statewide trauma-informed care coordinator.' Berry said she has the 'depth and breadth of experience' and knowledge to prepare her for her next chapter in public service. And should she be elected, Berry said she will be here 'for the long haul.' 'I know that our voters – particularly in this district – may have some frustration, maybe feeling like they didn't have a voice this last legislative session,' Berry said. 'And I'm running to both listen, to be the ear on the ground in this community and then be able to take what I'm hearing back to Dover.' Nikki Miller, Republican For Nikki Miller, this moment has been a long time coming. Having worked in the field of education for over two decades – including having previously served as principal of Cape Henlopen High School and the current supervisor of instruction at the Seaford School District – and a familiar face in her surrounding community, Miller was approached with the prospect of running for office before, but didn't feel the timing was quite right. Miller eventually faced Parker Selby last November, with the former Representative squeaking out a narrow win by a few hundred votes, and had plans to run again in 2026. But when life suddenly changed course with the announcement of a special election, Miller said 'there was no question' – she was ready. 'If I was going to run for 2026, why would I not run for the special [election]?' she said. Miller's campaign platform focuses on 'what matters most to our families,' including quality education, public safety and affordable housing. She has also prioritized protecting farmland and open spaces, improving traffic, 'proactive constituent service' and 'common sense solutions to everyday issues.' If elected, Miller feels her leadership experience and skills have more than prepared her to serve in this new role and wants, and is determined to leave, 'a bigger impact.' 'I love where I live, and I want to be able to support the people,' Miller said. When does the special election take place? The special election will take place on Aug. 5, according to the Delaware Department of Elections. Early voting will take place on the following dates: July 24-26 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 28-29 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 30 to Aug. 3 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. There will be no early voting on July 27. Early voters can cast their ballots at Mariner Middle School in Milton. Whoever wins the special election will serve the district for the remainder of Parker Selby's term, which is set to expire in November 2026. Additional information can be found on the department's website. Olivia Montes covers state government and community impact for Delaware Online/The News Journal. If you have a tip or a story idea, reach out to her at omontes@ This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Meet the candidates running for former Delaware representative's seat Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Walz calls Sept. 16 special election to fill slain lawmaker Rep. Melissa Hortman's seat
Brooklyn Park voters will take to the polls on Sept. 16 to fill the vacant seat of Rep. Melissa Hortman, who was killed last month in a politically motivated assassination. Gov. Tim Walz on Friday issued a writ of special election for the House District 34B seat, which encompasses parts of Anoka and Hennepin counties. A special primary for the seat, if necessary, will be on Aug. 12. Hortman and her husband were shot and killed on June 14 in their Brooklyn Park home. Their deaths, along with the attempted assassination of Sen. John Hoffman, DFL-Champlin, and his wife have left Minnesota in a state of shock and grief. Hortman first ran for the House seat in 1998 and 2002 and lost both times before winning in 2004 in what was then a swing district. Like many suburban districts, it has since become solidly blue. In 2024, Hortman won her race by 26 percentage points over her Republican challenger and served as the House DFL caucus leader until her death. Given the current status of the House — Republicans hold a 1-seat (67-66) advantage — Democrats are likely to take no chances, despite the near lock on keeping the seat. House Democrats will also likely knock on doors and fundraise to keep the seat blue in honor of their former leader. Brooklyn Park City Council member Christian Eriksen earlier this week announced that he intends to seek the DFL endorsement for the open seat. 'I know in our communities, this seat will endure as 'Melissa's Seat,'' Eriksen said in a social media post announcing his candidacy. 'It is with great respect to her legacy, as well as the legacy of all those whom have served before us, that I run for this office.' More: St. Cloud's Minnesota House reps mourn state legislator shot in targeted attack No Republican candidates have announced for the seat yet. Hortman, who was among the most influential Minnesota elected officials in the past decade, served as House Speaker from 2019 to 2024. Minnesota Reformer is part of States Newsroom, the nation's largest state-focused nonprofit news organization. This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz calls special election to fill Hortman's seat
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gov. Tim Walz calls September special election to fill seat held by Melissa Hortman
Jul. 11—By Nathaniel Minor Star Tribune (TNS) Gov. Tim Walz has called a special election for September to fill a House seat left empty by the assassination of Rep. Melissa Hortman. The election for House District 34B, which covers parts of Anoka and Hennepin counties, will be held on Sept. 16. A primary election, if necessary, will be held a month earlier on Aug. 12, the governor's office said in a press release. At least one candidate is already running. Earlier this week, Brooklyn Park City Councilman Christian Erikson, a Democrat, announced a run for the seat "with many emotions." "I know in our communities, this seat will endure as 'Melissa's Seat.' It is with great respect to her legacy, as well as the legacy of all those whom have served before us, that I run for this office," he wrote on Facebook. Hortman and her husband Mark were shot and killed inside their Brooklyn Park home on June 14. State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were also shot and seriously injured but are recovering. Vance Boelter, the suspect in both shootings, is facing state and federal murder charges. After Hortman's death, Republicans now hold a one-seat majority over Democrats in the House. Earlier this week, Walz told the Minnesota Star Tribune that he may call the Legislature back for a special session to address budget issues caused by the recently passed reconciliation bill in Congress. He said he'd call a special election for Hortman's seat before a special session, which could restore the balance in the House. If no special session is called, legislators will convene again in February 2025. Candidates have until 5 p.m. on Tuesday to file to run for the seat. ©2025 The Minnesota Star Tribune. Visit Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Walz announces special election to fill seat of slain Minnesota Democrat
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) on Friday announced a special election to fill a state House seat left vacant after the assassination of state Rep. Melissa Hortman (D). The special election will be held Sept. 16, according to Walz's office, with a special primary election for the nomination of candidates taking place Aug. 12 if deemed necessary. Candidates are eligible to file with the state or with county auditors starting Tuesday. The last day to file is July 22. The announcement comes after Hortman, her husband, Mark, and their golden retriever were fatally shot in a June attack that officials described as 'politically motivated.' Melissa Hortman was a former state House Speaker who served District 34B, which represents parts of Anoka and Hennepin counties. She and other Democratic state lawmakers, including state Sen. John Hoffman (D) and his wife, Yvette, were shot and injured at their homes by a man impersonating a police officer. Investigators said the alleged gunman, Vance Boelter, had a list of other targets after an initial search of his vehicle. Former President Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris both attended Melissa Hortman's funeral last month in Minnesota. 'Our parents touched so many lives, and they leave behind an incredible legacy of dedication to their community that will live on in us, their friends, their colleagues and co-workers, and every single person who knew and loved them,' the Hortmans' children, Sophie and Colin, wrote in a statement. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
