CPBD Contrasts Archaic DE Chancery Court Rules That Inhibit Transparency and Accountability with Delaware Becoming First State in the Nation to Certify Election Results

WILMINGTON, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, following news that Delaware’s Department of Elections (DOE) was the first in the nation to certify election results from the November 3^rd general election, Citizens for a Pro-Business Delaware Campaign Manager Chris Coffey released the following statement:

“How is it that Delaware’s Department of Elections can so quickly, transparently, and successfully certify election results while Chancellor Andre Bouchard’s Chancery Court remains mired in antiquated rules that prevent the court from meeting even the bare minimum standards of transparency and good governance?”

“I often say that in Delaware, nothing works the way it’s supposed to – well clearly that’s a result of deliberate choices by Delaware’s ruling class, rather than a fundamental part of how the state’s government and courts operate. If Delaware officials can accurately tabulate hundreds of thousands of votes cast in a contentious presidential election faster than any other state in the nation, then surely the Chancery Court can meet bare minimum transparency standards like making judges disclose conflicts of interest or forcing court-appointed custodians to provide itemized receipts of the work they’ve done?”

“While we’ve been disappointed too many times to expect the state’s courts to match the DOE’s first-in-the-nation record of transparency, we’re hopeful that the new slate of state legislators will finally take steps to introduce common-sense reforms like cameras in the courts and conflict of interest disclosures by judges. Even the smallest of steps could do wonders to restore trust in the state’s flailing courts and provide a new, more transparent way forward for the state’s top courts.”

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Citizens for a Pro-Business Delaware is a group made up of more than 5,000 members including employees of the global translation services company TransPerfect, as well as concerned Delaware residents, business executives and others. They formed in April of 2016 to focus on raising awareness with Delaware residents, elected officials, and other stakeholders about the unprecedented forced sale of TransPerfect. While their primary goal of saving the company has been accomplished, they continue their efforts to fight for more transparency in the Delaware Chancery Court. For more information on Citizens for a Pro-Business Delaware or to join the cause, visit DelawareForBusiness.org.