Voting in
Delaware

Upcoming Election Dates & Deadlines

Upcoming Election: Primary Election

Election Day: November 5, 2024

Registration Deadline: October 12, 2024

Vote By Mail: no

Early Voting: October 25 - 3, 2024

How to vote in Delaware

Delaware's election schedule

Delaware's Election Overview

Delaware allows you to register online, by mail, or in person. Voting can be done in person or by absentee ballot, and you don’t need an ID for mail voting.

Important Voting Links for Delaware

How to vote in Delaware

Absentee Ballot Process

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. Request your Ballot

Drop Boxes

You may mail back your ballot or drop your ballot off at your county election office. Mail-Ballot Drop Boxes are located in the publicly accessible areas at each State of Delaware Department of Elections locations listed here as well as in the lobby of the Carvel State Office Building. PLEASE NOTE: Ballots may NOT be dropped off at polling places.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to vote you must be:

A citizen of the United States
A resident of Delaware (proof required)
18 years of age on or before the date of the next General Election
mentally competent

NOTE: Convicted felons may register to vote if they meet the following requirements:

They were not convicted of a disqualifying felony as defined in the Delaware Constitution. A list of disqualifying felonies can be found on the Delaware Department of Elections website.
They have completed their sentence

If you do not have a fixed residence or are homeless you may still vote, however, you must show two forms of ID which must include a mailing address (such as a shelter or an agency address). If you have any questions about your eligibility to register, please contact the State Election Commission.

ID Needed for Voter Registration

ID is not necessary to register to vote if you use the National Voter Registration Form. However, when registering with the Department of Elections or at an alternate approved location, current identification is required. The identification must include current and valid photo ID that shows full name and address. Examples include:

Current utility bill
Bank statement
Government check
Paycheck
Other government document that shows full name and address
Delaware Drivers License or State ID Card

ID Needed for Voting

You will be asked to show ID at the polls. However, you do not need to show ID in order to vote. If you do not show an ID you must fill out a form before you can vote, but you will still be allowed to cast your ballot. Acceptable forms of ID include:

Delaware Drivers License or State ID
US Passport
Signed Polling Place or Social Security Card
Signed vehicle registration
Signed credit card with photo
Similar document that IDs the person by photo or signature.

Voters can call or text 844-338-8743 at any time to reach VoteRiders Voter ID Helpline

Overseas and Military Voting

You are a Military or Overseas voter if you are in uniformed services, living overseas OR a spouse or dependent of a uniformed services voter. To get registered and vote, you can utilize Overseas Vote Foundation. If you have additional questions about elections and voting overseas you can use our state specific elections official directory or contact the Overseas Vote Foundation.

Polling Place Locator

You can find your polling place by utilizing your state resource. For School Board elections, you can vote at any open polling place within the school district. Check your local school district website for a list of open polling locations. The Department of Elections sends you a polling place card when you register; after a change in name, address, or party affiliation; or when your polling place is changed. If you need information regarding your election district and the place where you vote, visit https://ivote.de.gov/ If you have further questions on your polling place location, please contact your county clerk.

Primary Election Process

Primary Election Date: Tuesday, September 13, 2022 Delaware is a “closed primary” state. In order to vote in the primary election, voters must be registered with a political party. Unaffiliated or independent voters are not able to participate in the primary. If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

Provisional Voting

If you are a registered voter in your election district but your name does not appear on the official poll list, you may be able to vote by updating the record or by provisional ballot. Provisional ballots begin being counted the day following an election. You can check the status of your provisional ballot to determine if your vote was counted. Provisional ballots cover only federal offices such as President, Vice President, US Senate and US Congress. To be permitted to vote on a provisional ballot, you will be asked to sign an affidavit that says you are a registered voter in that election district and that you are eligible to vote in that election. If a federal or state court order extends the time established for closing the polls, votes cast after the normal poll closing time will all be by provisional ballot. Note: You must provide proof of identity and address to vote on a provisional ballot. Acceptable forms of identification are a current, valid photo ID, copy of current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows your name and address.

Provisions for Voters with Disabilities

All people qualified to vote must be given the opportunity to do so. Therefore, there will be accessible polling places, accessible voting machines, the opportunity for voting by absentee ballot and assistance at any point as a means of accommodation. If you need help at the polls, election officers are ready to assist. You may also bring someone with you to help in the voting process. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, all election materials, announcements and forms are available at your state’s election website. You may also use the state’s free TDD relay service to obtain election and voting information. Simply dial 711 and give the operator the toll free help line number for the county from which you are calling: New Castle County 800-577-000, Kent County 800-464-4357, Sussex County 800-464-4357, Outside Delaware 800-273-9500. For more information, you can utilize the American Association of People With Disabilities (AAPD) resource.

Voting Machines

The voting system used in Delaware is DRE. Direct Recording Electronic (DRE): This is the newest kind of system in use in the U.S. All the information about who and what you are voting for is on an electronic screen like a TV or computer screen. There are many variations of DREs because lots of companies are inventing new ones, and many cities, counties and states are trying them out. Usually, after you have signed in, the poll workers will give you a card that you slide into a device to start your voting session. Some of these devices will show all of the candidates and ballot choices on one big screen. Often, with these big screen devices you push a button next to the name of the candidate you want to vote for (or yes or no on a ballot measure). On other DREs, the screen is set up to show pages. On each screen or page, there will probably be one thing to vote on. For example, on one screen or page, you might vote for president. Then you might move to the next page to vote for senator. Often these small-screen devices have a touch screen, where you touch the screen next to the name of the person you want to vote for. Other devices have a key pad. Some have a keyboard, so you can write in the name of someone you want to vote for. You let the system know you are finished voting by pushing a button, touching the screen or entering something on a keypad. You can learn more about voting systems by checking out the Elections Assistance Commission’s (EAC).