DE HB86

Establishes a uniform 1% threshold for automatic election recounts across all Delaware elections, including primary and general elections for statewide offices, State Senator, State Representative, county offices, City of Wilmington, and school district elections

Eliminates the requirement for candidates to request recounts after general elections and removes the need for 25 voters to petition for recounts in school district elections—recounts will occur automatically when the threshold is met

Removes the current variable thresholds that required either less than 1,000 votes or ½ of 1% difference (whichever was less) for most elections, and less than 10 votes or ½ of 1% (whichever was larger) for school elections

All recounts meeting the 1% threshold will be conducted at state expense

Primarily expands recount eligibility for statewide offices and New Castle County countywide offices, where the previous 1,000-vote cap limited recounts in high-turnout elections