Lt. Governor Denn Announces Date for Special Election

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Wilmington - Lieutenant Governor Matthew Denn announced today that he has elected to set the date for the special election to fill the State Senate seat vacated by the death of Senator Thurman Adams for the latest date permitted by law, August 3rd. The purpose of setting the late date is to allow residents of the 19th Senate District the maximum opportunity to meet the candidates for the open seat.

Under state law, Lieutenant Governor Denn could issue a 'writ of election' triggering a special election on any day from the date that the seat became vacant through July 23rd. Denn has elected to issue the writ on July 23rd, the last day permitted by law. Following Denn's issuance of a writ, the Department of Elections would be required to hold the election on either August 2 or August 3, and because August 2 is a Sunday on which elections are forbidden by law, the election must occur on August 3.

"It is very important that residents of the 19th Senate District have as much time as possible to meet the candidates for this open Senate seat and learn their positions on the issues," said Denn, "so I have chosen to set the election for the latest date possible."