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The Indicator from Planet Money · August 17, 2026 · 9m

Did you know companies can vote in Delaware?

Show Notes

The tiny beach town of Fenwick Island, Delaware, allows family trusts and companies—not just people—to be registered voters. Local officials say the practice makes sense for a community where many property owners are absentee and hold ownership through legal entities. Lawmakers are now pushing to change the rules, raising questions about who gets a voice in local elections.

This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.

Highlights

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Non-human voters in Fenwick Island, Delaware
In Fenwick Island, Delaware, many registered voters are not human—they are family trusts and a few are companies.
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Town defends entity voting system
Fenwick Island officials defend the practice, saying it works for their tiny beach community.
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Lawmakers push to ban corporate voting
Some lawmakers are moving to end the practice of allowing companies and trusts to vote.
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Misc

✧Fenwick Island has only about 900 people on its voting rolls, but some registered voters are family trusts and a few are companies.
✧The town says its system works for its tiny beach community.
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