Delaware Supreme Court Upholds Early Voting, Lt. Gov. Faces Campaign Finance Violation Allegations, and Recreational Marijuana Licensing Begins
The Delaware Supreme Court has upheld early voting and permanent absentee voting for the upcoming elections, overturning a previous Superior Court decision. The court ruled that the plaintiffs lacked standing to challenge the statutes, leading to a unanimous decision. Attorney General Kathy Jennings praised the ruling, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the voting process proceeds smoothly without legal disruptions.
Meanwhile, Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long is facing allegations of violating state campaign finance laws, including undisclosed payments to her husband and discrepancies in campaign finances. Hall-Long claimed that the discrepancies have been addressed, but her Democratic opponents in the governor’s race criticized her actions as corrupt, calling for greater transparency and reform of campaign finance laws.
In a separate development, the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner in Delaware has begun accepting license applications for those interested in joining the recreational marijuana market. The state legalized adult-use recreational marijuana last year, and eligible applicants can now apply for cultivation, manufacturing, retail, and testing facility licenses. The state will also allocate licenses for microlicenses and social equity applicants, with a lottery to be held in late October 2024.
Overall, these recent developments in Delaware highlight the ongoing legal and political debates surrounding voting rights, campaign finance transparency, and the growing recreational marijuana market in the state.
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