Delaware · House Bill 65 · 153rd General Assembly

Primary Elections/Move to April

HB 65 Sponsored by Stephanie T. Bolden Passed one chamber

  1. Introduced Mar 6, 2025
  2. In committee Mar 6, 2025
  3. Passed the House Apr 8, 2025
  4. Passed the Senate Next
  5. To the governor  
  6. Became law  

What it does

The legislature's own summary of the bill, or its official long title.

This Act moves the date of primary elections for statewide office, county office, and municipal office to the fourth Tuesday in April, which is the date of the presidential primary (in presidential election years). The dates for submitting and withdrawing notification of candidacy have been adjusted accordingly, as have the dates for notice of filing fees and background checks. Section 4 changes the “closed” period…

Read the full title (105 words)

This Act moves the date of primary elections for statewide office, county office, and municipal office to the fourth Tuesday in April, which is the date of the presidential primary (in presidential election years). The dates for submitting and withdrawing notification of candidacy have been adjusted accordingly, as have the dates for notice of filing fees and background checks. Section 4 changes the “closed” period in which a voter is not allowed to change his or her political affiliation to match the 60-day limit in 15 Del. C. § 3189 for presidential primaries. This Act is applicable to all primary elections after December 31, 2026.

Every action

7 steps, oldest first, as the legislature records them.

  1. CommitteeIntroduced and Assigned to Elections & Government Affairs Committee in House · House Elections & Government Affairs
  2. CommitteeReported Out of Committee (Elections & Government Affairs) in House with 6 On Its Merits · House Elections & Government Affairs
  3. HousePassed By House. Votes: 39 YES 1 NO 1 ABSENT39–1 vote
  4. CommitteeAssigned to Elections & Government Affairs Committee in Senate · Senate Elections & Government Affairs
  5. CommitteeReported Out of Committee (Elections & Government Affairs) in Senate with 3 Favorable, 1 On Its Merits · Senate Elections & Government Affairs
  6. CommitteeAssigned to Executive Committee in Senate · Senate Executive
  7. SenateAmendment SA 1 to HB 65 - Introduced and Placed With Bill

Roll calls

1 recorded vote: 1 on the floor, 0 in committee. Each shows how every member voted.

Passed By House. Votes: 39 YES 1 NO 1 ABSENT · Full House

Passed 39–1
Apr 8, 2025 · journal entry
Yes 39 No 1 Not voting 1
Democrats: 25 yes, 1 no Republicans: 14 yes, 0 no
How each member voted

Yes · 39

No · 1

Absent · 1

Sponsors

The member who introduced it, joined by 12 cosponsors: 9 Democrats, 3 Republicans.

All 12 cosponsors

From Delaware's official records (legis.delaware.gov), checked Nov 1, 2026. Text links go to the official versions; LegiList does not copy bill text.