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The Town of Bethany Beach holds an election in September each year for the selection of Town Council Members for a term of two years.  Our Town Charter and Code provide that at least four council members must be residents and three may be non-residents. 

Candidate filing information is listed at the bottom of this page. 

Delaware Wave Says, McClenny offers Bethany candidates online presence

Voter registration is explained later in this document.

Absentee voting is available for those who cannot vote in person. 

Previous election results are available

Absentee Voting

As a result of a law adopted in 2007 by the Delaware General Assembly some of the procedures for absentee voting in the Town of Bethany Beach changed. 

Persons Qualified to Vote by Absentee Ballot:  There was a minor change regarding who may vote by absentee ballot.  Our Town Code says "any qualified voter of the Town who is absent from the Town on the day of any municipal election" is entitled to vote by absentee ballot.  In addition, under the state statute, a qualified voter may now vote by absentee ballot; (1) because such person is sick or physically disabled, (2) because the tenets or teachings of that person's religion make that person unable to vote at a certain time or on a certain day, or (3) because the nature of such person's business or occupation, including providing care to a parent, spouse, or child who is living at home and who requires constant care due to illness or injury. 

Requests for Absentee Ballots:  Requests for absentee ballots can be obtained by submitting a written request for an affidavit.  A request for an affidavit can be made as follows:

1.  The affidavit (ballot request) can be obtained by requesting one from the Town Hall by mail, telephone, e-mail, or in person, or on the Town's website (www.townofbethanybeach.com).  All requests for affidavits (ballot requests) must be received in Town Hall no later than 12:00 noon the day prior to the election.

2.  Affidavits (ballot requests) are self explanatory but should you have any questions regarding the affidavit please call (302) 537-3771 (Bethany Beach Town Hall) and a staff person will address your concerns.

3.  You can submit your affidavit by mail, or drop it off in person at Town Hall during business hours (Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) or have someone drop it off for you. 

4.  All qualified voters who have properly submitted an affidavit (ballot request) will receive a ballot, instructions, and a ballot envelope with pre-paid return postage.

5.  A ballot can be returned by depositing it in the U.S. Mail, delivering it or causing it to be delivered to Town Hall no later than 6:00 p.m. on election day.

6.  Qualified voters may also appear at Town Hall during business hours, request an affidavit (ballot request), complete the affidavit (ballot request), receive a ballot and submit the ballot at that time.  If a voter completes an affidavit (ballot request) and does not intend to immediately complete and submit a ballot, then that ballot must be mailed to the requesting individual.  Affidavits (ballot requests) cannot be given out after 12:00 noon on September 11, 2009.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS REGARDING THE AFFIDAVIT, PLEASE CALL 302-537-3771 OR SEND E-MAIL TO:  admin@townofbethanybeach.com
 

Instructions For Completing and Returning an Absentee Ballot

Determine the number of candidates for which you are permitted to vote by reading the disclosure information printed at the top or bottom on the ballot. 

Vote by putting an "X" in the square located to the right of the name of the candidate or candidates for whom you want to vote.  NOTE:  If you vote for more than the allowable number of candidates for an office, the votes for that office shall not be counted.

If you make a mistake or change your mind, clearly indicate by words and arrows the person(s) for whom you want to vote.

If you spoil your ballot, contact the Town Office for instructions on how to obtain a replacement.

Once you are satisfied that you have completed your ballot, fold it neatly and put it into the envelope marked Ballot Envelope.

Seal the Ballot Envelope.  Read the oath that is printed on the Ballot Envelope, then sign and date the Ballot Envelope in the space provided and then mail the sealed Ballot Envelope with the ballot enclosed or deliver the sealed Ballot Envelope with the ballot enclosed to the Town Office.

Other Information:

Absentee ballots must be received by the Town no later than the time the polls close on the Election Day.  Any person making a false affidavit shall be guilty of perjury and, upon conviction, be punished as provided by law.  Any person who fraudulently signs the name of a voter to any affidavit on any voucher envelope shall be guilty of forgery and, upon conviction, be punished as provided by law.  Any person in voting or attempting to vote by himself or herself, or any other person, pursuant to the provisions of the absentee ballot law, violates any of the laws of this State enacted to secure the secrecy and independence of the voter, preserve the freedom and purity of the elections and prevent fraud, corruption and intimidation, shall be punished as provided by law.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, contact the Town Office.
 

Candidate Process

Anyone interested in running as a candidate for the Town Council election must file a written Notice of Intention (Application for Candidacy) in the Town Manager's Office at Town Hall no later than 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 25, 2012. 

Candidates for the Town Council must meet all the following requirements:

1. Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age;
2. Be a U.S. Citizen;
3. Not have been convicted of a felony;
4. Shall have been, for a period of at least one year prior to the date of the election, either: (a) a permanent full-time resident of the Town, or (b) a natural person holding record title to a fee simple or life estate in real property within the Town of Bethany Beach;
5. At the time of filing a notice of intention to seek office, be a duly registered voter under the provisions of the Town Charter (Section 5.2) and Voter Registration Ordinance (Chapter 378 of the Town Code).  Only natural persons are allowed to vote in Town Elections and only natural persons, who are not identified on the Town's tax records as an owner of real estate in the Town are required to register.  Persons may register in person by mail or at the Town Hall during normal business hours except during the last 30 days before the election.  Contact the Town Hall as instructed in paragraph 6 below;
6. File a written notice of intention to seek office at least forty-five (45) days prior to the date set for the election.  Contact the Town Hall by e-mail at:  admin@townofbethanybeach.com or at (302) 537-3771 to obtain the form. 

Upon the closing of the registration process, candidates receive a letter from the Town Clerk.  This letter provides a draft ballot for the election.  The draft shows the listing of the candidates' names in alphabetical order.  If a change in the ballot is required, please notify the Town Clerk.  In addition to the draft ballot, candidates receive a memorandum from the Town Clerk regarding the Delaware Campaign Financing and Disclosure Act.  Candidates must complete the form and return it to the Town Clerk on or before the required date.

Voter Registration

Bethany Beach property owners, who are listed on the Town's property tax list, ARE NOT REQUIRED to register to vote in town elections.  You may simply appear at the voting location with proper identification and you will be permitted to vote.

Residents of Bethany Beach (who do not own property) must register to vote at least thirty (30) days prior to the election.  Residents may register at Town Hall or request a mailed registration form by telephone, mail or by e-mail.  (Contact information is below.)

Town of Bethany Beach
Town Manager's Office
214 Garfield Parkway
P. O. Box 109
Bethany Beach, DE 19930-0109
Telephone:  (302) 537-3771
E-Mail:  admin@townofbethanybeach.com

In order to vote at the polls, appropriate proof of identity (driver's license, social security card, or other government-issued ID) must be presented at the time you vote.