Delaware General Election
Last update: Oct 15, 2026 01:06 a.m. EDT
Last update: Oct 14, 2026 01:27 a.m. EDT
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Registration Summary
Delaware offers online voter registration. You can register by mail to vote in Delaware by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your county election office. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer.
Voting Summary
Delaware offers absentee ballots by mail to voters who qualify. You can also vote in person. Delaware offers early voting.
19 days to Election Day!
- Vote early from Oct 22 to Nov 1. Dates and times may vary by location.
- Vote absentee: see if you’re eligible and request your absentee ballot online by Oct 30.
- Visit the Delaware website to find where to vote.
- You may need to show an ID when you vote in person. See the “Do I need to bring an ID?” section below to learn more.
Register to Vote
Check that you're registered to vote on Delaware's website.
How can I check the status of my absentee ballot?
You can check the status of your ballot on Delaware’s website.
How do election officials keep voting secure?
Election officials in your state and community are working hard to ensure the integrity of our elections. All states have implemented security measures to protect the vote.
Visit the Delaware Department of Elections website to learn more about election security. If you’re interested in getting involved with elections in your community, contact your county election office to learn about opportunities in your area.
How do I vote in person?
Where can I vote on Election Day?
You can look up where to vote on Delaware's site.
Can I vote early?
- Yes, early voting is offered in this election. You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
- Learn more about voting early in Delaware.
- Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check Delaware’s site to find where to vote early.
What do I need to bring?
You will be asked to show ID to confirm your identity and residency when voting in person in Delaware.
Acceptable forms include (but are not limited to):
- Delaware driver's license or state ID
- US passport
- Signed Social Security Card
- Signed polling place card
- Signed vehicle registration
- Signed credit card with photo
- A similar document that identifies the person by photo or signature
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you will be asked to sign an affidavit of affirmation that you are the person listed in the pollbook.
Can I register to vote online?
- Delaware offers online voter registration.
- To register online in Delaware, you must be at least 18 years old on or before the next general election. You must provide ONE of the following when registering online: Delaware driver's license number, Delaware State ID number, or the last four digits of your Social Security number.
Watch this video about online voter registration from the Delaware Department of Elections.
Can I vote early?
Yes, Delaware offers early voting.
- You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
When can I vote early?
- You can vote in person before Election Day between Oct 22 and Nov 1. Dates and times may vary by location.
Where can I vote early?
- Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check Delaware's site to find where to vote early.
What do I need to bring?
You will be asked to show ID to confirm your identity and residency when voting in person in Delaware.
Acceptable forms include (but are not limited to):
- Delaware driver's license or state ID
- US passport
- Signed Social Security Card
- Signed polling place card
- Signed vehicle registration
- Signed credit card with photo
- A similar document that identifies the person by photo or signature
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you will be asked to sign an affidavit of affirmation that you are the person listed in the pollbook.
Can I submit voter registration forms by mail?
Yes, you can submit your voter registration application by mail using the National Voter Registration Form or the Delaware voter registration form.
Once you confirm that you’re eligible to vote, print your form and fill it out.
To complete the National Voter Registration Form, use these instructions to fill out the following fields:
Box 6 - ID Number:
To submit a voter registration application by mail in Delaware, you must provide your valid Delaware driver's license number OR state ID number, if you have one. If you do not have either of these ID numbers, you must instead provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.
If you have not been issued any of these ID numbers, indicate this on the form. Delaware will assign you a unique identification number.
Box 7 - Choice of Party: You are required to register with a party to participate in Delaware partisan primary elections. You should register with the party whose primary you would like to vote in. Please note that only registered Democrats and Republicans may vote in Presidential Primary or State Primary Elections in Delaware.
Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank. This information is not required.
If you are registering to vote for the first time in your county and submit your registration application by mail, federal law requires you to provide a COPY of proof of identification with your application OR show acceptable documentation when you vote. Acceptable forms of identification include a current and valid photo ID OR a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address. More information about these requirements is available on the National Voter Registration Form.
- You may be exempt from federal proof of identification requirements if you are entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act or another federal law.
- Depending on your state, you may need to show additional identification when you vote, even if you meet federal identification requirements.
Once you’ve filled out all required fields on the form you selected, sign the completed form and send it to your county election office.
If you plan to return your application through the mail, be sure to mail your voter registration application before the deadline to ensure it's timely postmarked. Keep in mind that USPS might not postmark your mail on the day it's dropped off. You can also request a manual postmark at the counter of a USPS office. Find a USPS location near you.
How do I vote by absentee ballot?
Delaware offers absentee ballots by mail to voters who qualify. All other voters are expected to vote in person. Check to see if you’re eligible to vote by absentee ballot on Delaware’s site.
How do I get my ballot?
Fill out the absentee ballot application and mail or return it in person to your county election office. You can also submit an absentee ballot application online using the iVote voter portal.
What should I do if I don’t get my ballot?
If you don’t receive your ballot in the mail, then contact your county election office.
How do I return my ballot?
- Read the instructions carefully on how to mark and return your ballot.
- You can return your ballot by mail or by visiting your county election office.
- If you choose to return your ballot by mail, the United States Postal Service (USPS) recommends that voters mail their completed ballots at least one week before the due date. Find a USPS location near you.
What do I need to do if I’ve moved?
What’s on your ballot depends on where you live, so your voter registration is tied to your exact address. If you’ve moved, you need to complete and submit a voter registration form with your new address. You can update your voter registration address up to and including Election Day.
Additional option for voters in Delaware
Those who are sick or temporarily or permanently physically disabled may receive and return their ballot securely via email. For more information on this option, contact your county election office.
Watch this video about voting by mail from the Delaware Department of Elections.
Can I register to vote on Election Day?
No, this election does not offer in-person registration on Election Day.
Can I submit voter registration forms in person?
- You can complete a voter registration application in person. Contact your county election office for information on when and where to register to vote.
- Learn more by visiting the Delaware Department of Elections's website or contacting your county election office.
What are key deadlines for this election?
Registration deadlines
- In-person at local election office : Oct 10
- Online : Oct 10 by 11:59 p.m. EDT
- By mail (postmarked by) : Oct 10
Absentee ballot deadlines
- Request ballot (received by) : Oct 30
- Return ballot by mail (received by) : Nov 3 by 8:00 p.m. EST
- Return ballot in person : Nov 3 by 8:00 p.m. EST
Do I need to bring an ID to vote in person?
You will be asked to show ID to confirm your identity and residency when voting in person in Delaware.
Acceptable forms include (but are not limited to):
- Delaware driver's license or state ID
- US passport
- Signed Social Security Card
- Signed polling place card
- Signed vehicle registration
- Signed credit card with photo
- A similar document that identifies the person by photo or signature
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you will be asked to sign an affidavit of affirmation that you are the person listed in the pollbook.
How do I see what's on my ballot?
How do I get help registering to vote?
TurboVote can help you make your plan to vote. They can help you start the registration process, learn how to vote by mail, send you election reminders, and more.
Who can register to vote?
You may register to vote in Delaware if you:
- are a United States citizen
- are a Delaware resident (Delaware is your home)
- will be 18 years old on or before the date of the next general election
- have NOT been adjudged mentally incompetent (adjudged mentally incompetent refers to a specific finding in a judicial guardianship or equivalent proceeding, based on clear and convincing evidence that the individual has a severe cognitive impairment which precludes exercise of basic voting judgment)
- have NOT been convicted of a felony, unless you have completed your sentence
- have NOT been convicted of a disqualifying felony, or you have been convicted of a disqualifying felony and you have been pardoned
- List of disqualifying felonies include: murder or manslaughter (except vehicular homicide); any felony constituting an offense against public administration involving bribery or improper influence or abuse of office, or any like offense under the laws of any state or local jurisdiction, or of the United States, or of the District of Columbia; or any felony constituting a sexual offense, or any like offense under the laws of any state or local jurisdiction or of the United States or of the District of Columbia
How do I vote if I'm in the military or live overseas?
Active-duty military, their families, and overseas citizens can register to vote and request their absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA process is done by mail, but your state may offer other options to request and return ballots. Please contact your county election office for more information about delivery and return methods, including email, fax, and state online portals. To follow the FPCA process:
- Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or download a copy. Your county election office may have questions, so please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.
- Send the application to your county election office.
- It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.
- Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
- States begin mailing absentee ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven't received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your county election office.
If your ballot does not arrive after you submit your FPCA, contact your county election office first. Then:
- You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign, and mail your FWAB to your county election office.
- If you mail a FWAB and then receive your regular absentee ballot, you should complete and mail your absentee ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program offers additional information on military and overseas voting in Delaware. You can also call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or email vote@fvap.gov
How can I check my voter registration status?
You can look up your voter registration record and verify that your information is correct using Delaware's voter registration lookup tool.
How do I contact my state election office?
Which election office should I contact?
- In Delaware, your county election office runs the elections in your area. They can help you with questions about registering to vote, voting absentee, and local elections.
- The Department of Elections oversees elections and election administration in Delaware. They can help you with questions about voting in your state, election security, or issues you might have at the polls. If you have concerns about voter intimidation, reach out immediately.
How do I contact my local election office?
Visit your state’s site to find your county election office.