A former Delaware elections official was killed in an accident one day before the election, prompting condolences from state Democrats.
Delaware State Police are investigating an incident in which a tractor-trailer crashed into the SUV of Elaine Manlove, the state’s former elections commissioner. Both she and her husband were reportedly transferred to Christiana Hospital and were pronounced dead.
Delaware Gov. John Carney, a Democrat, released a statement following their deaths.
“Tracey and I are devastated by the tragic news about Elaine Manlove and her husband, Wayne. I’ve known Elaine since our days working together for New Castle County Executive Dennis Greenhouse in the early 1990s. Elaine was one of the most positive people I’ve ever known — and could light up any room. We are praying hard for Elaine and Wayne’s children, their entire family and many friends,” Carney said. “She was a public servant and a good friend. We are also sending strength today to Elaine’s second family at the Department of Elections. This is not an easy day for them, but I know they will be working hard to protect our democracy and make Elaine proud.”
Delaware State Police had not yet publicly identified the couple as of Tuesday evening, only classifying them as a 72-year-old woman and a 75-year-old man from Ocean View. Manlove worked as the state’s election commissioner for 12 years until her retirement in June 2019.
Delaware Sen. Tom Carper said he was “devastated” by the news.
“Elaine was a consummate public servant, a visionary and incredibly committed to honest and secure elections. One of her greatest professional achievements over her 12 years as Elections Commissioner was modernizing Delaware’s voting machines, as well as working with the education community to bring elections and civics lessons into Delaware’s classrooms,” Carper said in a statement. “May we honor Elaine by ensuring that, this Election Day, every person who wants to vote can vote, and every ballot that is casted is counted. I know that so many across Delaware will be thinking of Elaine today.”
