DE HB302

Consolidates three county Boards of Elections (New Castle, Kent, Sussex) into a single State Board of Elections with 11 members: 2 from each county, 2 from City of Wilmington, 2 at-large members, and the State Election Commissioner as ex officio member.

Grants State Board of Elections authority to hear appeals of campaign finance reporting fines and determine whether election law violations should be referred to the Attorney General or U.S. Attorney for prosecution.

Establishes position of Elections Counsel as legal representative of the State Election Commissioner to investigate potential violations of election laws, represent the Commissioner in board proceedings, and assist with publishing election law guidance materials.

Authorizes State Election Commissioner to receive citizen reports of possible election law violations, including procedures for anonymous reporting, and to establish procedures for investigating such reports.

Effective date is January 1, 2015.