Did you know companies can vote in Delaware?
Summary
This episode explores the legal battle in Fenwick Island, Delaware, where trusts and businesses are permitted to vote in local elections. Hosts Ricky Mulvey and Sally Herships interview Mayor Natalie Magdeburger, who defends the practice as fair representation for taxpayers, while the ACLU challenges it. Historian Alex Kesar provides context on voting rights, arguing that democracy is fundamentally about natural persons, not entities.
Topics discussed
Intro: The fight over non-human voting rights in Fenwick Island
Fenwick Island's unique community and history of entity voting
The ACLU lawsuit and the town's origins as a seasonal community
How trusts and businesses gained voting rights in 2008
Mayor's defense: Why corporations wouldn't vote in local elections
State Rep. Harris proposes bill to ban non-human voting
Expert analysis on property ownership and taxation arguments
Residency requirements and the conclusion of the debate
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