Voting in Delaware

Change My State

Presidential Primary Election

04/02/2024
Election Date
03/09/2024
Voter Registration Deadline (by mail - postmarked, in-person, online)

Vote By Mail Deadlines

04/01/2024
Deadline to Request Ballot (Received by)
04/02/2024
Deadline to Return Ballot (Received By)

Early Voting Dates

03/20/2024
Early Voting Begins
03/30/2024
Early Voting Ends

The upcoming election is a presidential primary. Learn About Presidential Primaries

Polling place hours: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Register to Vote

How to Vote in Delaware

Learn about all the options to vote in Delaware to make a plan to vote that works for you!

Frequently Asked Questions

Delaware Board of Elections Phone Number: (866) 276-2353

Delaware Board of Elections Website

Having trouble at the polls?

Call or text: 1-866-OUR-VOTE

Register to Vote in Delaware

Whether you are registering to vote for the first time, or need to update your address, name or party affiliation - we've got you covered!

Am I Registered?

Not sure if you are eligible to vote due to a felony conviction?
Click here to learn more.

Delaware Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely! You can check your voter registration online on Delaware’s elections office website here, or you can contact the Board of Elections at (302) 739-4498.

It can take several weeks. Most states send out voter registration cards within 5 to 7 weeks after receiving the registration. If you do not receive a registration card in the mail, contact your state election office to confirm you are registered. Find your state’s contact information in our How to Vote in Your State section on this page! In any event, you should verify your registration a week prior to the voter registration deadline in your state in case you need to fill out a new registration form or correct your form.

Elections take place all the time throughout the year, and odds are, you probably have an election coming up in your state! In addition to the presidential election and midterm elections, you have statewide, countywide and municipal elections that you can make your voice heard in. Make sure you know when your upcoming elections are so that you don’t miss a single one! Check out when your next election is here.

Your state provides an online ballot tracking system. You can track your ballot here!

YES you are able to register to vote at your student address. You should provide your official campus mailing address as well as the actual physical address of your on or off campus residence when registering to vote. You must have some sort of proof of address and residency that can be presented at your polling place (mail, a student ID, etc.). For more information, we suggest visiting your state’s elections office website. Remember: you can only register to vote and vote in one place, whether that is your student address or your home address!

YES, unhoused voters can register to vote and use their voice in Delaware’s elections. Unhoused voters or voters without a permanent address may list a shelter address, street corner, or park as their address. For more information on voting while unhoused, visit our friends at the National Coalition for the Homeless.

YES. In this case you must register at the last address you had before you left the USA, or at the address to which you will return to when returning to the USA (you must present some indication of a present intent to return and live there – e.g. vehicle registration, driver’s license, property ownership, family, etc). If you have never had a permanent address in the United States but are a citizen you are allowed to register at an address you plan on moving to or an address where you currently have family living. Access more information on voting overseas here.

You may call the voting rights hotline at 866 687-8683, if informing another poll worker isn’t successful. They have lawyers ready to help you. Additionally, you can call the civil rights division of the U.S Department of Justice.

You can also find Delaware’s elections office here and contact them by phone at (302) 577-3464.

Vote By Mail

Request and track

Notice: Mail-in voting is a convenient and safe way to vote, but your ballot might not count if it’s submitted late or with errors. So follow the directions below on how to vote early or absentee and make your vote count in Delaware.

Vote By Mail Deadlines

04/01/2024
Deadline to Request Ballot (Received by)
04/02/2024
Deadline to Return Ballot (Received By)

Excuse required to vote by mail.

How Vote By Mail Works in Delaware

Voting by mail is a two step process.

Step 1: Request your ballot NOW. If you are unable to vote for a qualifying reason, such as being out of town, a caregiver, or ill, you may request an absentee ballot. You must have a valid excuse to qualify to vote with an absentee ballot. If you qualify, you’ll need to apply for an absentee ballot no later than the day before Election Day at 12 p.m. noon.

 

Step 2: Complete and return your ballot ASAP.

  • Return in person to your county election office or designated drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
  • Or return by mail to your county election office so that it is received by Election Day. We recommend mailing your ballot at least two weeks before as the post office is not always reliable. The best intentions or postmark will not matter if your ballot is received after Election Day - your ballot will be tossed.

Click Here to See Your Ballot

Where to Sign Your Ballot

Remember to sign your return ballot.

After completing your ballot, put it into the return envelope provided by the state. Sign and date the self-administered oath on the return envelope.

Be sure that your signature matches your signature on file with the state! If you registered online or at the DMV, check the signature on your license. If the signature does not match, your ballot could be tossed and will not count.

How You Can Return Your Mail-in Ballot

If you return your ballot by mail, your postage is prepaid. You can also return your ballot via commercial delivery services, such as FedEx or UPS (at your expense).

You can also drop off your ballot in person at your local elections office, or drop box.

Can Someone Else Return Your Ballot For You?

Any designated person can drop off a ballot for you.

Track Your Ballot

Track your ballot by clicking here.

Haven't used your ballot?

If you decide to vote in person rather than use your mail-in or absentee ballot, take the following steps:

  • If you decide before Election Day, contact your county elections office and let them know you will vote in person. They will cancel your absentee ballot in their system. On Election Day, simply go to your polling place and vote.
  • If you decide on Election Day, go to your polling place and let the poll workers know you have a mail-in or absentee ballot. The poll workers will contact the county elections office, cancel your ballot, and then you can vote in person.

Opportunities to Fix Challenges to Your Ballot

Delaware does not offer voters a chance to address challenges to their ballot. Your ballot will not count if it is late, or you do not follow directions.

Voter ID

Do Voters Need ID?

Voter ID is not required to vote in Delaware, but poll workers will ask you to show proof of identity. If you do not show ID, you must fill out a form before you can vote. It is recommended that you bring a valid ID as showing ID makes the voting process faster and reduces mistakes.

Valid Voter IDs include:

  • Delaware Drivers License or State ID
  • U. S. Passport
  • Signed Polling Place or Social Security Card
  • Signed vehicle registration
  • Signed credit card with photo
  • A similar document that identifies the person by photo or signature

Voter ID in Delaware

Find Your Ballot

Enter your address below to see what you can expect on Election Day.

Primaries

Presidential Primaries

Primary Type (D): Closed
Primary Type (R): Closed

Only registered voters affiliated with a particular party may vote in that party’s primary. Voters may register to vote and declare a political party at their polls on Election Day. See Delaware’s Republican Party or Democratic Party websites for more details.

Automatic Registration

Your state automatically registers people to vote at their address of record when they interact with certain state agencies. If you have moved, changed your name or want to add a political party selection, you must update your voter registration. Click here to check to see if you are registered to vote, and update your registration if needed.

Election Day Registration

You can register to vote and cast your ballot on Election Day at your polling place or local elections office. Bring a valid ID and proof of residence with you.

Early Voting

Early Voting Dates

03/20/2024
Voting Begins
03/30/2024
Voting Ends

You can vote early in Delaware

Early voting locations and times can be found here. You may register to vote in person at early voting locations.

Preregister

Some states have laws that specifically allow citizens to preregister at a certain age while others allow registration as long as you’re 18 by the next election. Preregistration means you’ll be automatically registered to vote on your 18th birthday without taking any additional steps.

In Delaware, you can preregister to vote if you are 16. Register to vote today!

Some states even let you vote in their primaries at 17 if you’ll be 18 by the general election so you can participate in the whole process!

You can vote in the Delaware primaries if you are 17 by the next election.