Subchapter I. General Provisions
TITLE 29
State Government
The General Assembly
CHAPTER 8. COMPOSITION OF AND REAPPORTIONMENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Subchapter I. General Provisions
§ 801. Composition of the House of Representatives.
The House of Representatives shall be composed of 41 members who shall be chosen to hold office for 2 years. The State shall be divided into 41 representative districts, from each of which shall be chosen, by the qualified electors thereof, 1 Representative.
29 Del. C. 1953, § 601; 54 Del. Laws, c. 360; 56 Del. Laws, c. 243; 58 Del. Laws, c. 280, § 9; 63 Del. Laws, c. 183, § 1; 68 Del. Laws, c. 188, § 1; 73 Del. Laws, c. 243, § 1.;
§ 802. Composition of the Senate; staggered terms.
The Senate shall be composed of 21 members who shall be chosen to hold office for 4 years. The State shall be divided into 21 senatorial districts,from each of which shall be chosen, by the qualified electors thereof, 1 Senator. The terms of office of the several Senators shall be staggered so that 10 Senators shall be elected at the first biennial general election following June 30, 2001, for a term of 2 years, and 11 Senators shall be elected at such election for at term of 4 years.
29 Del. C. 1953, § 602; 54 Del. Laws, c. 360; 56 Del. Laws, c. 243; 58 Del. Laws, c. 280, §§ 10, 11; 63 Del. Laws, c. 183, § 1; 68 Del. Laws, c. 188, § 1; 73 Del. Laws, c. 243, § 1.;
§ 803. Numbering of districts.
Each representative district and each senatorial district shall be designated by number.
29 Del. C. 1953, § 605; 54 Del. Laws, c. 360; 56 Del. Laws, c. 243; 58 Del. Laws, c. 280, §§ 14-17; 63 Del. Laws, c. 183, § 1; 68 Del. Laws, c. 188, § 1; 73 Del. Laws, c. 243, § 1.;
§ 804. Determining district boundaries; criteria.
In determining the boundaries of the several representative and senatorial districts within the State, the General Assembly shall use the following criteria. Each district shall, insofar as is possible:
(1) Be formed of contiguous territory;
(2) Be nearly equal in population;
(3) Be bounded by major roads, streams or other natural boundaries; and
(4) Not be created so as to unduly favor any person or political party.
29 Del. C. 1953, § 606; 54 Del. Laws, c. 360; 56 Del. Laws, c. 243; 63 Del. Laws, c. 183, § 1; 68 Del. Laws, c. 188, § 1; 73 Del. Laws, c. 243, § 1.;
§ 805. Redistricting after federal decennial census.
The apportionment provided for by this chapter shall continue in effect until the official reporting by the President of the United State of the next federal decennial census. After the official reporting of the 2010 federal decennial census by the President to Congress, the General Assembly shall, not later than June 30, 2011, reapportion and redistrict the State, wherever necessary, for the general election of 2012 and thereafter in such a manner that the several representative and senatorial districts shall comply, insofar as possible, with the criteria set forth in § 804(1)-(4) of this title. Such apportionment shall thence continue in effect until the next succeeding federal decennial census.
29 Del. C. 1953, §§ 605, 607; 54 Del. Laws, c. 360; 56 Del. Laws, c. 243; 58 Del. Laws, c. 280, §§ 14-18; 63 Del. Laws, c. 183, § 1; 68 Del. Laws, c. 73, § 1; 68 Del. Laws, c. 188, § 1; 73 Del. Laws, c. 243, § 1.;
§ 806. Staggered senatorial districts.
(a) The Senators from the 1st, 5th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 19th and 20th Senatorial Districts shall be elected for 4-year terms in 2002 and 2006 and for a 2-year term in 2010.
(b) The Senators from the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th 10th, 11th, 16th, 17th, 18th and 21st Senatorial Districts shall be elected for a 2-year term in 2002 and for 4-year terms in 2004 and 2008.
29 Del. C. 1953, § 608; 54 Del. Laws, c. 360; 56 Del. Laws, c. 243; 58 Del. Laws, c. 280, § 19; 58 Del. Laws, c. 547; 63 Del. Laws, c. 183, § 1; 68 Del. Laws, c. 188, § 1; 73 Del. Laws, c. 243, § 1.;