If you are a registered voter and are unable to vote in person on Election Day, you may be eligible to vote by absentee ballot. To vote absentee you must qualify for one of the reasons listed on the Absentee Ballot Request form. Applications are due four days before the day of the election and voted absentee ballots are due by 8pm on Election Day in order to be counted.
To vote absentee you must qualify for one of the reasons listed below:
- You are in public service or are a spouse or dependent living with or accompanying the person in public service. This also applies to members of the Uniformed Services.
- You cannot make it to the polls due to the nature of your business or occupation. This includes people providing care to a parent, spouse or child living at home and requiring constant care; students; and otherwise eligible people who are incarcerated.
- You are sick or temporarily or permanently physically disabled
- You are absent from the district while on vacation
- Due to the tenets or teachings of your religion
- You are temporarily living outside the US or are a spouse or dependent living with the person living outside the US (if you choose this reason you will receive a full primary ballot, however, you will only have the Federal Offices on your General Ballot).
If you choose options 1, 3 or 6 above, you have the ability to make yourself a permanent absentee voter by checking the box on the request form.
REQUESTING AND RETURNING YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT:
To request your absentee ballot click here. Email, FAX, mail, or return the completed application in person to the Department of Elections’ Office in the County where you live so that it is received no later than 4 days before the day of the election.The absentee ballot is usually mailed out 35 days before a primary and 45 days before a general election. When returning the absentee ballot remember to read all the instructions and to sign and date the voucher and envelope. You may mail back your ballot or drop your ballot off at your county election office. Secure ballot drop boxes are available in each county office, as well as in the lobby of the Carvel State Office Building. All absentee ballots must be received by 8pm on Election Day in order to be counted.
You can check the status of your affidavit and your ballot here. Absentee ballots for School Board Elections have a separate application process. You can start here.
How to Vote in Person if Vote-by-Mail Ballot was Requested:
Those who requested an absentee ballot but end up voting in person: When voters arrive at their polling place, an election officer (poll worker) will confirm via the pollbook that their VBM ballot has not been returned to the Department. The voter’s unreturned VBM ballot will be voided, and they will be allowed to vote in person at the polling place.
More information about Delaware mail-in and absentee balloting in 2020 can be found on the Delaware Department of Elections Website, under the “Vote by Mail” or “Vote by Absentee Ballot” headings.
Overseas citizens and U.S. military personnel can find information on how to register to vote and request an absentee ballot at the Overseas Vote Foundation.