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June 28, 2024

The Delaware Supreme Court has unanimously vacated a lower court ruling that jeopardized tens of thousands of Delawareans’ voting rights under the state’s permanent absentee and early voting statutes.

In February, a Superior Court judge issued a surprise ruling striking down early voting and the state’s 14-year-old permanent absentee law. The permanent absentee statute had passed the General Assembly unanimously, including with the support of then-Rep. Gerald Hocker, the plaintiff in the Superior Court case. Attorney General Kathleen Jennings immediately moved to appeal that ruling.

In its 5-0 ruling, the Delaware Supreme Court found that Hocker and co-plaintiff Michael Mennella, represented by former Delaware GOP Chair Jane Brady, lacked standing to bring the case, said Jennings in a press release.

“Enough of these thinly veiled partisan attempts to suppress votes – especially of our most vulnerable citizens,” she said. “Whether you voted for me or not, this is your most fundamental right, and I promised never to stop fighting for it. I’m grateful to the court for its ruling, and for agreeing to hear this case on an expedited basis so that Delawareans know their rights going into the September and November elections.”

The ruling means Delawareans will retain the right to early voting and permanent absentee voting in all primary, general and special elections. In the last election, officials said 56,000 Delawareans used early voting and roughly 21,000 – including veterans, the disabled and caregivers – used permanent absentee ballots. 

Rehoboth Beach, Del., March 14, 2024 – The 14th Representative District Democratic Committee has endorsed Sen. Russ Huxtable, D-Lewes, for reelection to the Senate District 6 seat. The committee voted to endorse Huxtable at its March 13 meeting, marking its first endorsement of a Democratic candidate in the 2024 election season. 

Originally elected to the Senate in 2022, Huxtable has quickly emerged as a legislative leader, writing and sponsoring critical bills such as the measure to prohibit commercial development in Cape Henlopen State Park. In one of only two races to flip a traditionally Republican seat Democratic, Huxtable came to office representing the coastal communities of Milton, Lewes, Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach. 

He has since sponsored legislation to develop surplus state-owned property for affordable housing and encourage state agencies and businesses to purchase Delaware-grown foods. He also sits on seven Senate committees, and serves as chair of the Agriculture Committee and vice chair of the Environment, Energy & Transportation and Housing & Land Use committees.

A native Delawarean with a bachelor’s degree in political science and government from the University of Delaware, Huxtable spent two decades working with housing nonprofits prior to becoming a state senator. He developed a reputation as a national leader in affordable housing and community development, serving as a speaker, advisor and advocate for nonprofits and states. 

In his personal life, Huxtable is active in the local community, coaching soccer and baseball, cooking meals for shelter residents and volunteering for other service projects. He lives in Lewes with his wife and their two children, both of whom attend public school in the Cape Henlopen School District.

In announcing the 14th RD’s endorsement, committee chair Jeff Balk remarked that the action will support Huxtable with funding, publicity and grass-roots volunteers. “In his brief tenure as our state senator, Russ has already demonstrated that he’s an outstanding public servant who gets things done for our community,” says Balk. “His reputation as a conscientious legislator and Democratic leader is well earned. It will be an honor and a privilege to have Russ as our Senator for another term.” 

In accepting the endorsement, Huxtable stated, “I am honored to have the endorsement of the 14th Representative District Democrats. Without the strong support of what is the strongest Democratic committee in Delaware, I would not have been successful in winning the Senate seat in 2022.  Their support is a great foundation for my re-election this year."