Governor moves presidential primary to June 2
Gov. John Carney issued a sixth modification to his State of Emergency declaration March 24, moving Delaware’s presidential primary to June 2, and suspending residential foreclosures and evictions during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The order goes into effect at 8 a.m. Wednesday, March 25. It will remain in effect until May 15 or until the public health threat is eliminated.
“Delawareans have a basic, fundamental right to vote. Today’s order will preserve that right and allow Delawareans to vote by absentee ballot in the presidential primary on June 2,” Carney said. “The additional protections in this order are essential to help support Delawareans – especially our most vulnerable neighbors – as this situation evolves. This is an extremely challenging economic situation for many of our neighbors, and we need to do what we can to support them.”
Carney’s order prevents landlords from evicting Delawareans from their homes during this crisis, and prohibits landlords from charging late fees or interest during the State of Emergency.
The order also prevents lenders from commencing foreclosures during this period. Residential mortgage foreclosures that began prior to the State of Emergency declaration will not move forward until the 31st day following the termination of the governor’s emergency declaration, at the earliest.
During this time, residential utility service companies also cannot terminate service or charge late payment fees for services.
Delaware’s presidential primary has been moved to June 2, and all school board elections are delayed until June 16. The order states that social distancing due to COVID-19 is a valid reason to vote by absentee ballot.
Additional details about local elections, school district referendums, evictions, foreclosures, and utilities are available in the text of the order; go to https://tinyurl.com/r8fnlez.
Delawareans with general questions about COVID-19 or their exposure risk can call the Division of Public Health’s Coronavirus Call Center at 1-866-408-1899, or 711 for individuals who are hearing-impaired, from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Questions can also be submitted by email to DPHCall@delaware.gov.
