On Tuesday, voters headed to the polls to cast their ballot for local and statewide candidates.
While primaries typically see fewer voters than on election day, turnout may be higher this year, largely due to the state auditor’s race.
In June, a Kent County jury found Auditor Kathy McGuiness guilty of three misdemeanors − conflict of interest, structuring and official misconduct − in connection with an investigation that began in spring 2020. Last month, a judge upheld the two guilty verdicts against McGuiness for hiring her daughter, but threw out a separate misdemeanor conviction for rigging a state contract in an illegal manner.
McGuiness, who is the only statewide-elected official in Delaware’s history to be charged with and found guilty by a jury of crimes while in office, has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. She’s also refused to step down, despite calls for her to do so.
BACKGROUND:State auditor has two criminal guilty verdicts upheld, one tossed ahead of election
Her opponent Lydia York has been endorsed by the state Democratic Party, with the party on Tuesday again tweeting its support of York. It urged residents to vote for York to “restore integrity to the auditor’s office.”
While this race may be the most-watched, Tuesday’s primary includes more than a dozen General Assembly races and a number of local elections. Many longtime state lawmakers face challengers.
Polls close at 8 p.m. Tuesday. Here’s what voters had to say throughout the day.
Rehoboth Beach Fire Station, Rehoboth Beach
McGuiness was one of the first in line to vote at Rehoboth Beach Fire Station in Sussex County Tuesday morning. Voting was delayed a short while as a result of a severe thunderstorm that had passed through the area earlier in the morning.
McGuiness greeted other voters in line and put up signs as she waited and as election workers got ready to welcome voters.
By 10:30 a.m., the crowd had thinned out. Campaigners for Russ Huxtable were all smiles as the sun finally made an appearance following a cloudy morning.
Springer Middle School, Talleyville
Springer Middle School in Talleyville was largely quiet Tuesday morning, with only two people voting around 8:45 a.m. About 45 minutes later, several more people were casting their vote, though poll workers outnumbered voters.
Hodgson Vo-Tech High School, Glasgow
At about 9:15 a.m., a handful of people could be seen trickling in and out of Hodgson Vo-Tech. Five poll workers inside the school waited for voters to continue filtering in, with one saying the morning’s crowd had been steady so far.
Candidate signs line the school’s driveway and entrance. A woman, sporting a shirt in support of Eric Morrison, sat in a blue folding chair outside the school, occasionally talking to those who voted.
Elsmere Fire Company Hall, Elsmere
Just after 10 a.m., the liquor store that shares the parking with Elsmere’s polling location was busier than the polling place itself. Poll workers said 21 people had voted but they were expecting more after daytime work hours.
They noted that early voting had also impacted in-person voting numbers.
Cape Henlopen High School, Lewes
While traffic was slightly backed up on Kings Highway heading to Cape Henlopen High School, the polling site had a steady flow of voters a little bit after 11 a.m.
One poll worker said she was surprised by the great turnout, but if she had one reminder for voters, it would be to double-check their polling place. Because voting districts changed, some people showed up at the wrong site, she said.
Even with a little bustle at Cape Henlopen High − including some high school seniors getting their portraits taken − the voting process was quick and required almost no wait.
Reporters Krys’tal Griffin, Anitra Johnson, Emily Lytle and Meredith Newman contributed to this report.
This is a developing story. Return to delawareonline.com for updates.
