The Delaware Senate is the upper house of the Delaware General Assembly, the legislature of the U.S. State of Delaware. It is composed of 21 members, each of whom is elected to a four-year term, except when reapportionment occurs at which time Senators may be elected to a two-year term. There is no limit to the number of terms that a Senator may serve. The Delaware General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Delaware. ... A U.S. state is any one of the fifty states (four of which officially favor the term commonwealth) which, together with the District of Columbia and Palmyra Atoll (an uninhabited incorporated unorganized territory), form the United States of America. ... State nickname: The First State Other U.S. States Capital Dover Largest city Wilmington Governor Ruth Ann Minner (D) Senators Joe Biden (D) Thomas Carper (D) Official language(s) None Area 6,452 km² (49th)  - Land 5,068 km²  - Water 1,387 km² (21. ...

In order to accommodate the 10 year cycle of reapportionment, the terms of office of the several Senators are staggered so that 10 Senators are elected at the first biennial general election following June 30, 2001, to terms of 2 years, followed by two 4 year terms, and 11 Senators are elected at such election for two 4 year terms, followed by a 2 year term.

The Lieutenant Governor serves as the President of the Senate, but only casts a vote if required to break a tie. In his or her absence, the President Pro Tempore presides over the Senate. The President Pro Tempore is elected by the majority party caucus followed by confirmation of the entire Senate through a Senate Resolution. The President Pro Tempore is the chief leadership position in the Senate. The other Senate leaders are elected by their respective party caucuses. A Lieutenant Governor is a government official who is the subordinate or deputy of a Governor or Governor-General. ... A President Pro Tempore is a constitutionally recognized officer of the United States Senate who presides over the chamber in the absence of the President of the Senate. ...

Senators must be citizens of the United States, have lived in Delaware for three years and been a resident of their respective district for at least one year preceding their election and must be at least 27 years old by the time of their election.

References

• State of Delaware Delaware State Senate. Retrieve August 24, 2005.