CPD and its partner organization the Delaware Alliance for Community Advancement (DACA), along with allies at Demos and Common Cause Delaware are leading the fight to bring Same Day Registration (SDR) to the Diamond State this year. 171,000 Delawareans missed the state’s 24-day, pre-election voter registration deadline last November.  

Research shows that SDR can increase participation by as much as 14 percent among young people. Same Day Registration is particularly useful for low-income voters and people that frequently move.  

African Americans have also been found to take advantage of SDR at high proportions. In Delaware where Black voter turnout lagged behind the white vote by 6%, and the vote among 18-24 year olds was a whopping 24% lower than the state average, SDR could have a significant impact in closing these disparities.

Delaware has the opportunity to join 11 other states with Election Day registration. Governor Jack Markell has been an outspoken proponent of SDR and a strong coalition has been developed in support of SDR.

On February 12, CPD, DACA, Demos, SEIU Local 32 BJ, the Sierra Club, Common Cause, and DE state representatives John A. Kowalko and James "J.J." Johnson gathered in Dover to press for a clean Same Day Registration bill this year.

While some legislators have pushed for a primary exemption, CPD and our allies continue to move a campaign for a clean SDR bill that makes the electoral process more open and accessible for all Delawareans. 

As noted in a report released by our national partner Demos, over 84% of primary election champions go on to win in the general election, this is particularly true in urban centers such as Wilmington. Therefore, excluding primary elections from SDR would create an unnecessary two-tier electoral system.

In a climate where voting rights is under attack in other states, Delaware stands out as an opportunity strengthen our democracy and begin a movement towards not just defending voting rights, but expanding voting rights. CPD is proud to be in that fight with strong allies and grassroots partners such as DACA.