DE HB183

Establishes special primary elections for vacancies in the General Assembly, requiring a writ of election within 5 days of the vacancy with the special primary held 35-40 days after the writ is issued

Candidates must file within 5 days of the writ and schedule criminal background check appointments within 48 hours of the filing deadline; political parties may nominate a candidate within 5 days if no party members file

Special general elections must be held 35-40 days after the special primary election if a primary is necessary; if no primary is needed, the special general election occurs on the original primary date

For vacancies occurring within 6 months of a general election where the office is on the ballot and the special primary would fall on or after May 15, no special election is held and the vacancy is filled at the general election

For vacancies involving offices not on the general election ballot, special elections are coordinated with the regular election calendar—either held on primary/general election days or scheduled 35-40 days after the general election