Corporations can vote in some Delaware elections, judge says
A Delaware judge ruled that corporations and other artificial entities can vote in local elections under certain conditions. This decision comes amid ongoing debates about corporate personhood and voting rights. The ruling dismissed an ACLU challenge, emphasizing the principle of one vote per entity.
- ▪Judge Craig A. Karsnitz ruled that corporations and similar entities have the right to vote in Delaware elections.
- ▪The ruling dismissed an ACLU lawsuit challenging the voting rights of these entities in the Town of Fenwick Island.
- ▪The judge cited Delaware's recognition of artificial entities as 'persons' under state law.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Corporations, partnerships, trusts, limited liability companies, and other “artificial entities” have the right to vote in Delaware elections under some circumstances, a judge said in a novel ruling Tuesday.Judge Craig A. Karsnitz rejected an ACLU challenge to a charter permitting voting in local elections by the entities that own most of the property in the Town of Fenwick Island, one of several municipalities in the state with similar provisions. Karsnitz dismissed the lawsuit from Delaware’s Superior Court, citing “the principle of one person/entity/one vote.”“Visions of faceless large corporations or even HAL controlling a small town are frightening and the stuff of science fiction,” but “trusts, partnerships, limited liability companies, and corporations are expressly recognized as…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Bloomberglaw.
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