Delaware § 7712 - Use of separate ballot; form.

§ 7712. Use of separate ballot; form.

The election shall be by ballot, separate from any ballot to be used at the same election. Such ballot, if used at a general election, shall be enclosed in the same envelope as the ballot for use at such general election, otherwise each ballot cast shall be enclosed in a separate envelope. The ballot shall first state the substance of the proposed amendment. This shall be followed by appropriate instructions to the voter. It shall then contain perpendicular columns of equal width headed respectively in plain type “For Ratification,” “Against Ratification” and “Uncommitted.” In the column headed “For Ratification” shall be placed the names of the nominees nominated from the entire State as in favor of ratification, in alphabetical order. In the column headed “Against Ratification” shall be placed the names of the nominees nominated from the entire State as against ratification, in alphabetical order. In the column headed “Uncommitted” shall be placed the names of the nominees nominated from the entire State as uncommitted to either ratification or rejection, in alphabetical order. The voter shall indicate that voter’s own choice by making 1 or more cross marks in the appropriate spaces provided on the ballot. No ballot shall be held void because any such cross mark is irregular in character. The ballot shall be so arranged that the voter may by making a single cross mark, vote for the entire group of nominees whose names are comprised in any column. The ballot shall be as like as possible to the form of the official ballot now used in this State and substantially in the following form:

CONVENTION TO RATIFY FEDERAL

Delegates to the Convention to Ratify the Proposed Amendment.

The Congress has proposed an amendment to the Constitution of the United States which provides (insert here the substance of the proposed amendment).

The Congress has also proposed that the amendment shall be ratified by Conventions in the States.

INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTERS

Do not vote for more than 17 candidates.

To vote for all candidates in favor of Ratification of the proposed amendment, or for all candidates against Ratification of the proposed amendment, or for all candidates who intend to remain uncommitted to either Ratification or Rejection of the proposed amendment, make a cross mark in the Block at the head of the list of candidates for whom you wish to vote. If you do this, make no other mark.

To vote for an individual candidate make a cross mark in the Block at the left of the name.

All ballots used at elections for ratifying conventions shall be printed as outlined in this section. However, the Governor may, if the Governor deems it expedient, in the Governor’s own proclamation calling for election of delegates to a ratifying convention, direct that there be printed on the ballots additional information that will be more informative to the electorate on the subject which is being voted upon.

38 Del. Laws, c. 5, §  11;  Code 1935, §  6216;  15 Del. C. 1953, §  7712;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;