Every vote counts in District 20

All eyes are on the District 20 special election to fill the vacated seat of Stell Parker Selby in the Delaware House of Representatives. 

The election, set for Tuesday, Aug. 5, pits Democrat Alonna Berry against Republican Nikki Miller, each of whom are seeking to fill the final year of Parker Selby’s term and represent a district that encompasses parts of Milton, Lewes and Harbeson. 

While the term lasts just one year, the seat is important to both parties. If it remains with the Democrats, they are just one House seat shy of a two-third majority in both chambers. Obviously, the Republicans are seeking to balance the House a bit more. 

Each candidate has received statewide support from their respective parties, whether through financial contributions or on-the-ground campaigning. 

The candidates have had a few opportunities to make their case to the public. The first was an unprecedented forum hosted by the state chamber of commerce in partnership with local chambers in Lewes, Milton and Georgetown. The format was refreshing. Rather than have the candidates sit together, the chambers interviewed Berry and Miller separately. The approach forced the candidates to answer questions on their own without knowledge of what their opponent had to say.

And while the chamber forum focused heavily on business issues, the second forum, hosted by the League of Women Voters of Sussex County, provided an opportunity for the candidates to talk about a broader set of issues. 

In the lead up to the election, the Cape Gazette has published a candidate Q&A and stories about both forums. There is plenty of information about the candidates and their views in those stories and on each candidate’s website and social media pages. 

Voting is easy. Those wishing to cast their votes before election day may do so from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. until Sunday, Aug. 3, at Lewes Elementary in Lewes and Mariner Middle School in Milton. On election day, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at eight different locations. 

Votes can be cast at either early-voting location, but voters must visit their assigned polling location on election day. 

If this is anything like the last District 20 election when Parker Selby defeated Miller by just 245 votes, a tight race will determine the winner. Every vote counts.