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What we learned from Delaware results

Harry November 7, 2024

Although nearly 50,000 new Delawareans became eligible to vote this year, turnout in the First State did not come close to the last presidential election.

About 65% of Delaware voters cast ballots in this year’s general election; That was about 4 percentage points fewer than the number of voters in the 2020 election, which sent Delaware’s Joe Biden to the White House and defeated then-President Donald Trump.

This was the highest turnout in the state since the election of President Barack Obama in 2008. 69% of registered Delaware voters went to the polls. Obama’s election drew attention Young voters go to the polls in high numbersIt was a historic moment when the first Black man was elected president.

SEE THE FULL SELECTION THE RESULTS ARE HERE.

From women’s bodily autonomy and reproductive rights to Social Security and the military, Many issues drove voters to the polls This year, with US Vice President Kamala Harris facing Trump for the presidency and other statewide races in Delaware with majorities on the ballot.

Here are some key takeaways from preliminary results in Delaware:

2024 participation in First State

While only four precincts were missing ballots as of 11 p.m. Tuesday, 64.98% of eligible voters had cast ballots.

There are 788,548 people registered to vote this year; this is up 6.5% since the 2020 presidential election. registered voter figures shown.

Delaware’s final election report on early voting showed: 247,142 Delawareans voted That was the case for just 31% of registered voters before Election Day, according to Department of Elections data. (Of course, not everyone who submits a ballot is voting for president.)

Last presidential election

Delaware voter turnout in the 2020 election was far from reaching the record of 68.76% reached in 2008.

During the last presidential election, consistently high voter turnout from Delawareans ages 50 and older helped boost overall rates, but even the state’s youngest voters, ages 18-20, saw turnout increase by 10% from 2016 to 2020. Voters ages 21 to 49 saw more modest increases of 1% to 2%.

Voters withdrew Parallels between Obama and Harris as young voters He was energized by Harris and the chance to make her the first female president in U.S. history, as well as the first Black woman and South Asian president.

In 2008, voter turnout among the youngest Delawareans was 69%, but whether this year’s numbers will be close to that won’t be known until election results are finalized and data is compiled.

What has remained consistent over time is the high voter turnout of Delawareans age 50 and older. Voting rates among these age groups 75% or higher in 2020.

History made in Delaware federal seats

State Sen. Sarah McBride made history Tuesday night, becoming the first transgender person elected to federal office in United States history as Delaware sent the Democrat to Congress.

McBride, the 34-year-old current state legislator, defeated Republican John Whalen In Tuesday’s general election.

McBride became the first transgender person elected to office in Delaware when she won her Senate seat in 2020, making her the highest-ranking transgender elected official in the country.

He will take over the congressional seat vacated by U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, who will replace retiring U.S. Sen. Tom Carper.

Blunt Rochester He also made history with his victory in the SenateHere she is the first Black Delawarean and the first woman to represent the state in the legislature. The 62-year-old Wilmington native spent nearly eight years as Delaware’s first black representative and the first woman in Congress.

Blunt Rochester edged Republican challenger Eric Hansen by at least 16 points. Independent Mike Katz received less than 4 percent of the vote. unofficial election results to show.

Meyer solidifies Delaware governor’s win

Yeni Kale District Manager Matt Meyer solidifies win for Delaware’s next governor He defeated Republican challenger Mike Ramone on Tuesday by nearly 12 percentage points.

Ramone, who has represented Pike Creek in the Delaware House of Representatives since 2008 and most recently served as House minority leader, told Delaware Online/The News Journal at a recent editorial board meeting that if he is unsuccessful in the governor’s race, Enjoy your retirement as a grandfather.

“I am optimistic about Delaware’s future and committed to making Delaware the best state to live, work, raise a family, start a business and retire,” Ramone said in an emailed statement. he said. “Now I’m going to focus on being Pop Pop.”

Ramone defeated Meyer in both Sussex and Kent counties, but the county executive received nearly twice as many votes in New Castle County.

New Castle County’s political landscape is changing

This change, with Meyer becoming governor in January, opens the door to a new administration with Democrat Marcus Henry. He had no opponent in the general elections held on Tuesday.

The county council will have a new leader as Monique Johns decisively defeated Republican Melissa Brayman on Tuesday with more than 62% of the vote to Brayman’s 37.5%.

John’s Eyebrows were raised after he recently requested funds from county taxpayers to cover his own inauguration party. Before the election last month, Johns boldly asked the New Castle Council for money, even though he had yet to face his opponent, Brayman.

Got a clue? Contact Amanda Fries at [email protected]. Follow her on X at @mandy_fries.