Delaware House to Vote on Tiebreaker Bill

The historic tie vote that tied Delaware City's town government in knots last year will become a historical relic if legislation working its way through the General Assembly becomes law.

House Substitute 1 for House Bill 33, which is expected to be considered by the House this week, would give the state election commissioner the power to declare a vacancy in a municipal election that ends in a tie.

Just such a situation happened in April 2010 in Delaware City, where council candidates Paul Parets and John Buchheit battled to a 103-103 tie.

Council members voted to seat Parets amid an outcry that the town violated constitutional protections by circulating fliers that said residents must be current on their town taxes and fees to cast a vote.

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