Delaware State Senate
General Information
Party control:	Democrat
Session start:	January 13, 2026
Session end:	June 30, 2026
Term length:	2-4-4 year system
Term limits:	None
Redistricting:	Legislature-dominant
Salary:	$45,291/year
Members
Total:	21
Democrats:	15
Republicans:	6
Other:	0
Vacancies:	0
Leadership
President:	Kyle Evans Gay (D)
Maj. Leader:	Bryan Townsend (D)
Min. Leader:	Gerald Hocker (R)
Elections
Last election:	November 5, 2024
Next election:	November 3, 2026

TheDelaware State Senate is theupper chamber of theDelaware State Legislature. Alongside theDelaware House of Representatives, it forms the legislative branch of the Delaware state government and works alongside thegovernor of Delaware to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the Delaware State Senate include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.

The Delaware State Senate meets in the state capitol building inDover, Delaware.

This page contains the following information on the Delaware State Senate.

• Which partycontrols the chamber
• The chamber'scurrent membership
• Partisan control of the chamberover time
• Elections in the chamber and how vacancies are filled
• Adistrict map
• Howredistricting works in the state
• Legislation currently under consideration
• Legislative session dates
• Legislative procedures, such as veto overrides and the state budget process
• A list ofcommittees

Party control

Current partisan control

The table below shows the partisan breakdown of the Delaware State Senate as of February 2026:

Members

Leadership

The lieutenant governor is the presiding officer of the Senate, while the president pro tempore is charged with overseeing the operations of the Senate, including appointing committees and assigning legislation to committees.^[1]

Leadership and members

• Senate president:Kyle Evans Gay (D)
• Senate president pro tempore:David Sokola (D)
• Majority leader:Bryan Townsend (D)
• Minority leader:Gerald Hocker (R)

Salaries

See also:Comparison of state legislative salaries

Swearing in dates

See also:When state legislators assume office after a general election

Delaware legislators assume office ​the first Wednesday after the first Monday in November (the day after election day).^[3]

Membership qualifications

See also:State legislature candidate requirements by state

Article II, Section 3 of theDelaware Constitution states: "No person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained the age of twenty-seven years and have been a citizen and inhabitant of the State three years next preceding the day of his or her election and the last year of that term an inhabitant of the Senatorial District in which he or she shall be chosen, unless he or she shall have been absent on the public business of the United States or of this State."^[4]

Historical party control

Democrats won control of the Delaware State Senate in 1974. In2024, they won a 15-6 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Delaware Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2024. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin'sParty Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Before 1992

From the 1920s through the 1950s, the Delaware Senate was competitive and it often switched partisan control. Starting in 1954, Democrats gained a majority in the chamber and did not lose it until the chamber split 9-9 between the parties in 1966. Republicans won control in the next three elections before losing to the Democrats in 1974. In the years following 1974, Democrats usually held more than 13 seats, the margin needed for a three-fifths majority capable of overriding gubernatorial vetoes.

Trifecta history

Astate government trifecta is a term that describes single party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government. Between 1992 and 2023, Delaware was under the following types of trifecta control:

• Democratic trifecta: 2009-2023
• Republican trifecta: None
• Divided government: 1992-2008

Elections

Elections by year

Delaware state senators serve2-4-4 terms, where senators serve one two-year term and two four-year terms each decade. Delaware holds elections for its legislature in even years.

2026

See also:Delaware State Senate elections, 2026

Elections for theDelaware State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is onNovember 3, 2026. The primary isSeptember 15, 2026. The filing deadline isJuly 14, 2026.

2024

See also:Delaware State Senate elections, 2024

Elections for theDelaware State Senate took place in 2024. The general election was onNovember 5, 2024. The primary wasSeptember 10, 2024. The filing deadline wasJuly 9, 2024.

In the 2024 elections, Democrats maintained their 15-6 majority in the Delaware State Senate.

2022

See also:Delaware State Senate elections, 2022

Elections for theDelaware State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for September 13, 2022. The filing deadline was July 12, 2022.

In the 2022 elections, Democrats increased their majority in the Delaware State Senate from 14-7 to 15-6.

2020

See also:Delaware State Senate elections, 2020

Elections for the office ofDelaware State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for September 15, 2020. The filing deadline was July 14, 2020. Heading into the 2020 general election, there were12 Democrats andnine Republicans in the chamber. Democrats increased their majority to14 Democrats andseven Republicans in the election.

2018

See also:Delaware State Senate elections, 2018

Elections for theDelaware State Senate took place in 2018. Aclosed primary election took place on September 6, 2018. The general election was held on November 6, 2018. The major party candidate filing deadline wasJuly 10, 2018.^[5]

In the 2018 elections, Democrats increased their majority in the Delaware State Senate from 11-10 to 12-9.

2017

See also:Delaware state legislative special elections, 2017

Partisan control of theDelaware State Senate was on the line in the February 25, 2017, special election, as Democrats and Republicans battled to establish a one-member majority in the chamber. In theNovember 2016 general election, Democrats’12-to-nine majority in the Senate shrunk to11 to 10, as RepublicanAnthony Delcollo defeated Democratic Senate PresidentPatricia Blevins inDistrict 7, 50.5 to 49.5 percent. The partisan balance then became deadlocked at10 to 10 after Democratic Sen.Bethany Hall-Long vacated herDistrict 10 seat to become Delaware’s lieutenant governor. In the Delaware Senate, the lieutenant governor has the power of casting tie-breaking votes, giving Democrats a narrow majority in the interim between Hall-Long’s resignation and the swearing-in of her successor. DemocratStephanie Hansen's victory in the special election allowed Democrats to regain an 11 to 10 majority in the Senate and to defend their trifecta in the state.

Partisan control of Delaware State Senate
Party	Before the vacancy	Leading up to the election	After the election*
Democratic Party	11	10	11
Republican Party	10	10	10
Vacancy	0	1	0

*Note: TheAfter the election column reflects the partisan balance of the chamber based on the special election's results.

2016

See also:Delaware State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for theDelaware State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on September 13, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was July 12, 2016.

A total of11 seats out of the 21 seats in theDelaware State Senate were up for election in 2016. Republicans gained one seat in the chamber after theNovember 2016 election. Democrats lost an additional seat when state Sen.Bethany Hall-Long (D) won election in the lieutenant governor's race, leaving the chamber split 10 to 10. A special election to fill the vacancy left by Hall-Long took place on February 25, 2017. The race for Hall-Long's District 10 seat in 2014 was competitive, with a 2.2 percent margin of victory.Read more about the special election on February 25, 2017,here.

Click [show] to see election information dating back to 2000

2014 See also:Delaware State Senate elections, 2014 Elections for theDelaware State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on September 9, 2014. The general election was held onNovember 4, 2014. Thesignature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was July 8, 2014. Ten seats were up for election in 2014. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 13-8 majority. Democrats lost one seat in the election, giving them a 12-9 majority. Delaware State Senate Party As of November 3, 2014 After November 4, 2014      Democratic Party 13 12      Republican Party 8 9 Total 21 21 2012 See also:Delaware State Senate elections, 2012 Elections for the office of Delaware State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on September 11, 2012, and the general election was held onNovember 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was July 10, 2012. Atotal of 21 seats were up for election. Although Delaware senators typically serve four-year terms, they are elected to a two-year term during the first election of the decade. Thus, rather than only half of all senators being up for election, all sitting members were on the ballot in November. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 14-7 majority. Democrats lost one seat in the election, giving them a 13-8 majority. Delaware State Senate Party As of November 5, 2012 After the 2012 Election      Democratic Party 14 13      Republican Party 7 8 Total 21 21 The table below details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election in 2012. 2012 Margin of Victory, Delaware State Senate District Winner Margin of Victory Total Votes Top Opponent District 15 Dave Lawson 2.9% 18,875 Kathleen Cooke District 4 Gregory Lavelle 3.3% 23,568 Michael Katz District 5 Catherine Cloutier 12.4% 22,974 Christopher Counihan District 21 Robert Venables 12.9% 16,031 Bryant Richardson District 6 Ernesto Lopez 13.4% 24,241 Andrew Staton District 19 Brian Pettyjohn 19.6% 16,422 Jane Hovington District 8 David Sokola 21.4% 16,634 William Stritzinger District 12 Nicole Poore 22% 21,355 Dorinda Connor District 14 Bruce Ennis 22.2% 19,683 Scott Unruh District 20 Gerald Hocker 35.9% 21,026 Richard Eakle 2010 See also:Delaware State Senate elections, 2010 Elections for the office of Delaware State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on September 14, 2010, and the general election was held onNovember 2, 2010. Theprimary nomination process for candidates wishing to run in these elections was to gain the party's nomination at state conventions held by the state's two major political parties in May. Candidates wishing to run as independents could submit nominating signatures up through July 30. The candidate filing deadline was June 11, 2010. Senate seats in ten of Delaware's 21 districts were up for election in 2010. Races were held in Districts 1, 5, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19 and 20. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 15-6 majority. Democrats lost one seat in the election, giving them a 14-7 majority. Delaware State Senate Party As of November 1, 2010 After the 2010 Election      Democratic Party 15 14      Republican Party 6 7 Total 21 21 In 2010, the total amount of contributions raised in senate campaigns was $643,813. The top 10 overall contributors were:[7] 2010 Donors, Delaware State Senate Donor Amount Bodenweisser, Eric R $26,000 Friends to Elect Joe Booth State Representative $23,832 Moritz, John A $23,295 Bunting Jr., George H $11,500 Booth, Joseph W $10,000 Cullis, Fred $6,800 Delaware Racing Association $6,600 Delaware Association of Realtors $5,450 Delaware Trial Lawyers Association $4,800 Astrazeneca $4,600 2008 See also:Delaware State Senate elections, 2008 Elections for the office of Delaware State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 9, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008. During the 2008 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $1,296,843. The top 10 contributors were:[8] 2008 Donors, Delaware State Senate Donor Amount Downes, Gary $20,000 Bonini, Colin J $19,800 Delaware Republican Party $17,000 Abbott, Richard L $16,640 Mackenzie, John $11,507 Clatworthy, John D $11,309 Delaware Democratic Party $10,110 Cmte to Re-elect David Mcbride $8,594 Carpenters & Joiners Local 626 $6,000 Stafford, Harold E $5,675 2006 See also:Delaware State Senate elections, 2006 Elections for the office of Delaware State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 12, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006. During the 2006 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $1,144,623. The top 10 contributors were:[9] 2006 Donors, Delaware State Senate Donor Amount Feroce, John $ Delaware Republican Party $ Potter Jr, Charles $ Allsopp, Barbara J $ Delaware Education Association $ Delaware Association of Realtors $ Delaware Chiropractic Society $ Delaware Automobile & Truck Dealers Association $ Artesian Water $ Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 74 $ 2004 See also:Delaware State Senate elections, 2004 Elections for the office of Delaware State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 11, 2004, and a general election on November 2, 2004. During the 2004 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $963,920. The top 10 contributors were:[10] 2004 Donors, Delaware State Senate Donor Amount Savage, F Thomas $30,767 Delaware Racing Association $10,650 Delaware Republican Party $9,000 Optometry Eye PAC $6,200 Testerman, James B $5,665 Altria $5,400 Delaware Chiropractic Society $5,275 Delaware Automobile & Truck Dealers Association $5,100 Delaware Democratic Party $5,000 Delaware Association of Realtors $4,250 2002 See also:Delaware State Senate elections, 2002 Elections for the office of Delaware State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 7, 2002, and a general election on November 5, 2002. During the 2002 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $1,485,767. The top 10 contributors were:[11] 2002 Donors, Delaware State Senate Donor Amount Copeland, Charles L (Charlie) $43,200 Burton Sr, John S $32,000 New Castle County Democratic Cmte $16,000 Schaeffer, Mark & Ruby $13,100 Mbna Corp $10,500 Schaeffer, Mark G & Ruby K $10,000 Delaware Association of Realtors $9,395 First State Manufactured Housing Association $9,025 Davis, Paul $8,876 Delaware Racing Association $8,400 2000 See also:Delaware State Senate elections, 2000 Elections for the office of Delaware State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 9, 2000, and a general election on November 7, 2000. During the 2000 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $908,155. The top 10 contributors were:[12] 2000 Donors, Delaware State Senate Donor Amount Welsh, Paul $100,000 Delaware Democratic Party $30,000 Hocker, Gerald $25,400 Mcginchey, William V $22,631 Delaware Republican Party $13,386 Delaware Trial Lawyers Association $6,000 Nonpartisan Citizens for Business Expansion $5,660 Medical Society of Delaware $5,200 Wilmington Police & Fire Pension Task Force $5,200 Delaware State Dental Society $5,100

Vacancies

See also:How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

If there is a vacancy in theDelaware General Assembly, the presiding officer of the house in which the vacancy happens must call for a special election within 10 days of the creation of the vacancy. The election must be called for no less than 30 days but no more than 35 days after the writ for the special election has been issued. The governor may issue a writ if the legislature is not in session.^[13]

See sources:Delaware Code Ann. tit. 15, § 7101

District map

See also:Delaware state legislative districts

The state of Delaware has 21 Senate districts. Each district elects one senator.

Use the interactive map below to find your district.

Redistricting

See also:Redistricting in Delaware

Because Delaware has only one congressional district, congressional redistricting is not necessary. The state legislature draws state legislative district lines. Thegovernor may veto the lines drawn by the state legislature.^[14][15]

State law requires that state legislative districts be "insofar as possible, contiguous and bounded by roads, streams and other natural boundaries." Further, state law stipulates that district lines "may not be drawn to unduly favor any person or political party." Because these requirements are statutory, the legislature may amend them at its discretion.^[14][15]

2020

See also:Redistricting in Delaware after the 2020 census

On November 2, 2021, Gov.John Carney (D) signed Senate Bill 199 into law, enacting the state's new House and Senate district lines.^[16] TheDelaware General Assembly previously approved the final House and Senate map proposals on November 1, 2021.^[17] TheDelaware House of Representatives voted 40-1 in favor of the maps with state Rep.Michael Smith (R) voting against it. TheDelaware State Senate approved the maps along party lines with all 14 Democrats in favor and all seven Republicans against.^[17] These maps took effect for Delaware's 2022 legislative elections.

District map before and after 2020 redistricting

Below is the state Senate map in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle.

2010

See also:Redistricting in Delaware after the 2010 census

Delaware received its 2010 census data on March 1, 2011. The state population increased by over 115,000 (nearly 15%) from 2000-2010, growing to over 900,000 residents.^[18] According to the Delaware Population Consortium, there was a large shift to the southern part of the state, with Sussex County growing by 25% while New Castle County experienced 7% growth.^[19]

On May 17, 2011, the minority caucus ofRepublicans in theHouse released their proposal for the state's 41 districts. On May 19,House Democrats released their proposed redistricting map. A public hearing was held on May 26 at 7 p.m.^[20] TheHouse passed its redistricting map on June 28, 2011, on a party-line vote.^[21] The Senate map was approved on June 30, 2011, by a 15-6 vote. Two districts were merged in the northern part of the state in order to make room for a new southern district.^[22][23]

Sessions

Legislation

The legislation tracker below displays all legislation that the Delaware State Senate has approved in its most recent legislative session—this includes legislation that has been sent from the Senate to the House and legislation that has already been approved by both chambers and signed by the governor. The table below includes the bill number, its name, progress, most recent action date, and sponsor. Scroll up and down and side to side to see more. Click the bill number to read the bill text and see its voting history. Click the headings to sort the content. Rearrange the order of the headings by clicking and dragging them. Click the magnifying glass in the bottom left corner to search for specific terms. The legislation tracker is maintained and updated byBillTrack50.

Dates of legislative sessions in Delaware by year

2025

See also:2025 Delaware legislative session andDates of 2025 state legislative sessions

In 2025, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 14, 2025, and adjourn on June 30, 2025.

Click [show] for past years' session dates.

2024 See also:2024 Delaware legislative session andDates of 2024 state legislative sessions In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 9, 2024, and adjourn on June 30, 2024. 2023 See also:2023 Delaware legislative session andDates of 2023 state legislative sessions In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 10, 2023, and adjourn on June 30, 2023. 2022 See also:2022 Delaware legislative session andDates of 2022 state legislative sessions In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 11, 2022, and adjourn on June 30, 2022. 2021 See also:2021 Delaware legislative session andDates of 2021 state legislative sessions In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 12, 2021, and adjourn on June 30, 2021. 2020 See also:2020 Delaware legislative session andDates of 2020 state legislative sessions In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 14, 2020, and adjourn on June 30, 2020. Effect of coronavirus pandemic See also:Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020 Coronavirus pandemic Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more. Political responses overviewState reopening plansDocumenting America's Path to RecoveryElection changesChanges to vote-by-mail and absentee voting proceduresFederal responsesState responsesState executive ordersStay-at-home ordersMultistate agreementsNon-governmental reopening plansEvictions and foreclosures policiesTravel restrictionsEnacted state legislationState legislative session changesSchool closuresState court closuresInmate releasesLocal government responsesDiagnosed or quarantined politiciansBallot measure changesArguments about government responsesThe 1918 influenza pandemicPandemic Response Accountability CommitteeUnemployment filingsLawsuitsBallotpedia's polling on the coronavirus pandemicSubmit Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. TheDelaware State Legislature suspended its session, effective March 18, 2020, through May 26, 2020. The suspension was initially scheduled to last through March 24, 2020. The legislature adjourned on June 30, 2020.[24][25][26] 2019 See also:2019 Delaware legislative session andDates of 2019 state legislative sessions In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 8, 2019, through June 30, 2019. 2018 See also:2018 Delaware legislative session andDates of 2018 state legislative sessions In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 9, 2018, through June 30, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, clickhere. 2017 See also:Dates of 2017 state legislative sessions In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 10, 2017, through June 30, 2017. The legislature held a special session on July 2. On the morning of July 3, 2017, Delaware Gov.John Carney (D) signed into law a budget passed by the Legislature on July 2, 2017. The state began the 2018 fiscal year without an annual budget in place and was one of six states Ballotpedia tracked in 2017 that were on the verge of a partial government shutdown or the implementation of spending cuts to nonessential government services. The Legislature passed a temporary funding package on July 1, 2017, in order to avoid a partial government shutdown. Delaware’s budget debate throughout the 2017 regular session centered largely on Democratic proposals to raise the personal income tax rate and Republican proposals to alter the state’s prevailing wage laws—neither of which ultimately made it into the final budget. Lawmakers agreed to a series of tax increases on real estate sales, alcohol, and cigarettes in order to address a projected $390 million shortfall.[27][28] 2016 See also:Dates of 2016 state legislative sessions In 2016, the legislature was in session from January 12 through July 1. 2015 See also:Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 13 through June 30. Major issues in 2015 Major issues in the 2015 legislative session included the annual budget, adding e-cigarettes to the Clean Indoor Air Act, and gun control.[29] 2014 See also:Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 14 through July 1. Major issues in 2014 Major issues in the 2014 legislative session included raising the minimum wage, gun control, the 2015 budget, campaign finance, and the economy.[30] 2013 See also:Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 8 to July 1. Major issues in 2013 Major issues in the 2013 legislative session included gun control, gay marriage, and budgetary problems.[31] 2012 See also:Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions In 2012, the legislature was in session from January 10 through June 30. Major issues Legislators focused more on economic rather than social issues this session, including reforms to Medicaid and addressing the budget deficit.[32] 2011 See also:Dates of 2011 state legislative sessions In 2011, the legislature was in session from January 11 through June 30. Session highlights State employee benefit cuts GovernorJack Markell's (D) plan to cut public employee pension and health benefits received overwhelming support from officials within his administration, legislators and even public employee union officials. Markell's proposal, which became law on May 2, 2011, requires new state employees to pay 5% of their salary after the first $6,000 towards their pension, rather than 3%. It also eliminates the use of overtime when calculating pensions and the "double state share" health care benefit. According to the governor's office, the plan would save Delaware taxpayers $130 million over the next five years and $480 million over the next fifteen.[33][34] 2010 See also:Dates of 2010 state legislative sessions In 2010, the legislature was in session from January 12th to June 30th.

About legislative sessions in Delaware

TheTenth Amendment of theU.S. Constitution declares that any power not already given to the federal government is reserved to the states and the people.^[35] State governments across the country use this authority to hold legislative sessions where a state's elected representatives meet for a period of time to draft and vote on legislation and set state policies on issues such as taxation, education, and government spending. The different types of legislation passed by a legislature may include resolutions,legislatively referred constitutional amendments, and bills that become law.

Article II of the Delaware Constitution establishes when theDelaware General Assembly, of which the Senate is a part, is to be in session. Section 4 of Article II states that the General Assembly is to convene on the second Tuesday of January of each calendar year, and it is not to extend beyond 5:00 p.m. on the last day of June.^[36]

Section 4 also allows the General Assembly to be convened into special session by theGovernor of Delaware or by the mutual call of the presiding officers of both Houses.

Legislative roles and procedures

Every state legislature throughout the country features its own internal procedures that it uses to govern itself and how it interacts with other parts of state government. Ballotpedia's coverage of internal state legislative procedures includesveto overrides,the role of the legislature in the state budget, andprocedures for filling membership vacancies.

Veto overrides

See also:Veto overrides in state legislatures

State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Delaware are listed below.

How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Three-fifths of members in both chambers.

How can vetoes be overridden after the legislature has adjourned?

Authority:Article III, Section 18 of theDelaware Constitution.

Role in state budget

See also:Delaware state budget and finances

Delawareon

Check outBallotpedia articles about policy in your state on:

Budgets •Civil liberties •Education •Elections •Energy •Environment •Healthcare •Pensions

The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:^[38]

1. InJuly, thegovernor sends budget instructions to state agencies.
2. InOctober, agencies submit their budget requests to the governor.
3. Budget hearings are held with the public inNovember.
4. On or beforeFebruary 1, the governor submits his or her proposed budget to thestate legislature.
5. The legislature must pass a budget with a simple majority byJune 30. The fiscal year begins on July 1.

The governor is statutorily required to submit a balanced budget to the legislature. In turn, the legislature must pass a balanced budget, and any budget signed into law by the governor must be balanced.^[38]

Delaware is one of 44 states in which the governor hasline item veto authority.^[38][39]

Delaware maintains two major governmental funds: the General Fund and the Special Fund. Within the Special Fund, there are four category types: Appropriated Special Funds (ASF), Non-appropriated Special Funds (NSF), Federal Funds, and Bond Funds.^[40]

Committees

See also:List of committees in Delaware state government

Every state legislature and state legislative chamber in the country contains several legislative committees. These committees are responsible for studying, amending, and voting on legislation before it reaches the floor of a chamber for a full vote. The different types of committees include standing committees, select or special, and joint.

• Standing committees are generally permanent committees, the names of which sometimes change from session to session.
• Select or special committees are temporary committees formed to deal with specific issues such as recent legislation, major public policy or proposals, or investigations.
• Joint committees are committees that feature members of both chambers of a legislature.

Ballotpedia covers standing and joint committees. The Delaware State Senate has t 15 standing committees:

Constitutional amendments

In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process forreferring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states,initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are alsomany other types of statewide measures.

The methods by which the Delaware Constitution can be amended:

See also:Article XVI of theDelaware Constitution andLaws governing ballot measures in Delaware

Article XVI of the Delaware Constitution defines two mechanisms by which the Delaware Constitution can be amended—a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. Delaware does not feature the power ofcitizen initiative for eitherinitiated constitutional amendments orinitiated state statutes.

Legislature

TheDelaware General Assembly can amend the constitution. Unlike in any other state, the state legislature can amend the constitution without a vote of the people. For the legislature to amend the constitution:

• Two-thirds of all the members elected to each chamber can vote in favor of a proposed amendment.
• TheDelaware Secretary of State then must publish the proposed amendment(s) three months prior to the next general election in at least three newspapers in each county.
• The subsequent General Assembly then votes again on the proposed amendment(s) and if an amendment receives two-thirds majority approval of all members of each chamber, it becomes part of the constitution.

Convention

The state's constitution can also be amended through aconstitutional convention.

• By a two-thirds vote of both chambers of the state legislature, the question, "Shall there be a Convention to revise the Constitution and amend the same?" can go on a statewide ballot. If a simple majority of those voting on the question vote "yes," then there will be a convention.

See also

Elections	Delaware State Government	State Legislatures	State Politics
Delaware State Senate elections, 2026 Delaware State Senate elections, 2024 Delaware State Senate elections, 2022 Delaware State Senate elections, 2020 Delaware State Senate elections, 2018	Delaware State Legislature Delaware House of Representatives Governor of Delaware Delaware Supreme Court	State legislative elections:2026,2025,2024,2023,2022,2021,2020,2019, and2018	State government trifectas State government triplexes State executives State courts Ballot measures The State Legislative Decade

External links

• Delaware General Assembly

Footnotes

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