Delaware Unveils Election Task Force Amid RNC Lawsuit

The 20-member advisory group will consist of state officials, law enforcement, and community organizers and be chaired by Secretary of State Charuni Patibanda-Sanchez and Secretary of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security Joshua Bushweller.

Juliette Fairley

Published: 5/4/2026, 11:45:31 AM EDT

Delaware Unveils Election Task Force Amid RNC Lawsuit — A person walks past a voting sign during the first day of early voting for the primary elections at the Dunwoody Library in Atlanta, Ga., on April 27, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

The state of Delaware now has a task force that’s charged with delivering a comprehensive report within 90 days after each general election.

The Delaware Task Force on Free, Fair, and Secure Elections was implemented by Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer with an executive order.

“Experts agree that elections are most secure when administered by decentralized state and local officials, and any attempt to federalize control over elections undermines both the security of our democratic process and the constitutional separation of powers that has safeguarded our Republic for over 250 years,” the order states.

The 20-member advisory group will consist of state officials, law enforcement, and community organizers.

Secretary of State Charuni Patibanda-Sanchez and Secretary of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security Joshua Bushweller are designated to co-chair.

“We will continue to administer elections that are secure, fair, and trusted by the public,” Meyer said in a press release. “If the federal government tries to highjack the will of the people, we will be ready.”

The task force will make recommendations, review election protocols and infrastructure for physical and cybersecurity vulnerabilities and moderate alleged voter intimidation or disinformation.

Meyer issued the order following a complaint filed by the Republican National Committee (RNC) seeking to compel the release of the state’s voter registration lists.

The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA) requires states to divulge records related to voter registration for public inspection while exempting information about an individual's decision not to register and about the agency through which a voter may have registered.

“The RNC routinely reviews state voter roll maintenance procedures to assess the accuracy of the voter registration records upon which it relies, provide voter education, support affiliated committees, and ensure adherence to federal and state election laws that govern elections in which the RNC and its subordinate parties and nominees compete for votes,” the complaint states. “The RNC is harmed by inaccurate voter registration lists and its inability to confirm list accuracy.”

The lawsuit against Delaware State Election Commissioner Anthony Albence stems from RNC requests dating back to March 25, 2025, when it sought sixteen categories of voter list maintenance records in electronic format.

Albence produced voter registration files on Aug. 21, 2025; however, the complaint alleges the information provided was only responsive to one category.

“To date, the RNC has not received a single record responsive to Requests Nos. 1-5 or 7-16,” the lawsuit states. “Defendant’s refusal to provide such information, in any form whatsoever, constitutes a failure to produce records in violation of the 52 U.S.C. § 20507(i).”