{"data":{"id":"us-de/15-del.-c.-4946","jurisdiction":"us-de","citation":"15 Del. C. § 4946","heading":"Powers of election officers to preserve order during election; penalty.","body":"(a) The inspectors of election, from the opening of the election until all the duties and proceedings connected therewith are fully completed, may:\n(1) Command the peace; and\n(2) Require sureties of the peace from any person disturbing the election, or the officers thereof in the performance of their duties; and\n(3) Commit to prison for refusal or neglect to find such surety.\nWhoever, being an officer or other person, disobeys the lawful commands of any inspector of election, shall be fined $50.\n(b) The election officers in each election district, while discharging any of the duties imposed upon them by this title, may:\n(1) Preserve order and enforce obedience to their lawful commands at and around the place of election during the time of any election and counting of votes;\n(2) Keep the access to such places open and unobstructed;\n(3) Prevent and suppress riots, tumult, violence, disorder and all improper practices tending to the intimidation or obstruction of voters, the disturbance or interruption of the voting or counting of votes; and\n(4) Protect the voters and challengers from intimidation and violence, and the registers, poll books, boxes, envelopes and ballots from violence and fraud; and\n(5) Deputize, if necessary, 1 or more electors to communicate their orders and directions and to assist in the enforcement thereof.","path":["Title 15. Elections","General Elections","CHAPTER 49. Conduct of Election","Subchapter II. Regulations Governing Conduct of Elections During Hours of Voting"],"source_url":"https://delcode.delaware.gov/title15/c049/sc02/index.html#4946","current_through":"2026-08-10 (85 Del. Laws, c. 421, 424)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-05T23:02:19Z","sha256":"9938f0240db9aa54e8efd52b6da0a2ff541844fc3c5ec11c843992d381187d9f","source_id":"us-de","stale":true,"prev":"us-de/15-del.-c.-4945","next":"us-de/15-del.-c.-4947"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}