Senate committee hears widespread support for Delaware John Lewis Voting Rights Act

Sen. Pinkney presented HB 444, the Delaware John Lewis Voting Rights Act, to the Senate Elections and Government Affairs Committee, saying the bill would create a state framework enabling individuals, organizations and the attorney general to challenge election policies that ‘‘deny or impair equal opportunities’’ for protected groups and to expand language access and notice-and-review procedures before litigation proceeds.

The bill also includes a ‘‘democracy canon’’ directing courts to interpret Delaware election laws in favor of protecting access to registration, voting and ballot counting, and it would add a discrete reporting category for official travel expenses over $250.

Supporters urged the committee to move the bill forward. Becca Cotto of YWCA Delaware said the measure ‘‘is a critical civil rights measure that affirms and protects the fundamental right to vote’’ and would address persistent inequities for Black voters and language minorities. Michael Pernick of the Legal Defense Fund said recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions have weakened federal protections and argued Delaware can lead by adopting state-level safeguards. Andrew Bernstein of the ACLU of Delaware and Brandon Fletcher Dominguez also testified in favor, saying HB 444 responds to local and national trends that have reduced minority representation and voting access.

Sen. Hoffner praised the sponsor’s leadership on the measure, and Sen. Richardson asked to be added as a cosponsor later in the process. The committee did not take a vote on HB 444 at this meeting.

If enacted, the bill would give courts authority to order remedies tailored to correct violations — for example, changes to election policies, additional polling locations or voter education — though the bill’s text sets procedures that in many cases encourage notice and review before litigation proceeds.

The committee proceeded to other agenda items after public comment; committee members thanked advocates and emphasized that the bill’s supporters included civil-rights and voting-access groups who urged timely consideration.