Opinion ID: 1424945
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Origin of Question

Text: This Court has recognized the general legal principle that where the holder of an office accepts another incompatible office, the acceptance of the second office operates as a resignation or renunciation of the first office as fully and effectually as though the relinquishment of the first office had been an intentional and voluntary act. This principle of law applies where the incompatibility is declared by constitutional provisions such as Article II, § 14, and Article III, § 11, of the Delaware Constitution. [7] Moreover, this Court has held that when the resignation has become effective by the acceptance of the incompatible office, a resignation of the second office does not revive or restore the right to hold the first office which has thus been abandoned or resigned. [8] The reason for your request to the Justices regarding the second clause in Article II, § 14, of the Delaware Constitution is the candidacy of Trooper Douglas Salter for the Delaware House of Representatives, Seventeenth District. The question having been answered in the affirmative, Trooper Salter's success in the coming election and acceptance of the Office of State Representative by being sworn into such legislative office would act as his resignation or renunciation from the Delaware State Police. [9]