Delaware Government

Preface

Capital Area Map – Dover, DE

Delaware’s Symbols

CHAPTER 1: DELAWARE—AN OVERVIEW

The First State

Delaware — the Diamond State

Agriculture

Industry

Transportation

Cultural and Recreational Activities

CHAPTER 2: THE CONSTITUTION and CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICES

History

Present Constitution

Constitutional Revisions

Constitutional Offices

The Department of Justice

The Office of Auditor of Accounts

Department of Insurance

Treasurer

CHAPTER 3: THE LEGISLATURE

History

Present Composition

The Legislators

Legislative Sessions

Legislative Powers

Legislative Organization

Legislative Procedure

Legislative Role in the Budget Process

Types of Legislation

Votes Required to Pass Legislation

Legislative Council

House and Senate Staff

Lobbyists

CHAPTER 4: THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH

The Governor

The Cabinet

Department of Agriculture (DOA)

Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families (DSCYF)

Department of Correction (DOC)

Department of Education

Higher Education Commission

Department of Finance

Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS)

Department of Labor

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control

Department of Safety and Homeland Security

Department of State

Department of Technology and Information

Department of Transportation (DelDOT)

OTHER EXECUTIVE OFFICES

Delaware Economic Development Office (DEDO)

Department of Elections

Office of Management and Budget

Office of the State Fire Marshal

Delaware State Housing Authority

Delaware National Guard

Public Defender

BOARDS, COUNCILS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

LIST OF BOARDS, COUNCILS & COMMISSIONS

CHAPTER 5: THE JUDICIARY

ORGANIZATION OF THE DELAWARE COURTS


Supreme Court

Court of Chancery

Superior Court

Family Court

Court of Common Pleas

Justice Of The Peace Courts

Alderman’s Court

Juries

Court on the Judiciary

The Judiciary Process

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Judicial Branch Agencies

CHAPTER 6: ELECTIONS

Administration

General Elections

Registration

Voting Procedure

State Primary Elections

Non-Presidential Primary Election

Presidential Primary Elections

Political Parties

Democratic Party

Republican Party

Minority Parties

School District Elections

Municipal Elections

Chapter 7: FINANCING STATE GOVERNMENT

State Budget Process

Budget Bill

Bond Bill

Grants in Aid

State Operating Budget

Financing the Capital Improvement Program (Bond Bill)

CHAPTER 8: EDUCATION

Department of Education (DOE)

Public Education

Vision 2015

Public Schools

Charter Schools

School Choice

Adult Education and Work Force Development

Nonpublic Schools

Private Schools

Homeschools

Higher Education: Delaware Colleges and Universities

CHAPTER 9: LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

County Row Offices

Counties

Kent County

New Castle County

Sussex County

Incorporated Municipal Governments

Dover

Wilmington

CHAPTER 10: CONTACTING ELECTED OFFICIALS

Delaware’s Congressional Delegation

State Elected Officials

Other sources of information

Delaware Code

Citizen Responsibilities

Communicating with Your Elected Officials

GLOSSARY