Last updated:
Delaware absentee and mail ballot guide
Delaware absentee ballot overview
Absentee ballots and mail ballots are the same thing, and the process for getting one is straight forward.
- Request your ballot by the deadline
- Receive your in ballot in the mail
- Return your ballot by the deadline
Delaware absentee deadlines
- Earliest day to apply: January 1
- Request deadline (online): 4 day before Election Day
- Request deadline (by mail): Received 4 days before Election Day
- Request deadline (in person): 1 day before Election Day
- Deadline to return your ballot (by mail): Received by Election Day
- Deadline to return your ballot (in person): Received by Election Day
Delaware absentee ballot rules
You can vote by absentee ballot in Delaware if:
- you are unable to vote in person due to work obligations (if you are a student, eligible incarcerated people, or are providing care to a parent, spouse, or child you may use this excuse)
- you are sick or physically disabled,
- you will be absent from your county during voting periods, or
- you are restricted from voting in person due to religious beliefs.
- you are in public service of the U.S. or the State of Delaware (or are a spouse or dependent thereof),
Delaware online ballot request (recommended)
- Visit the Delaware absentee ballot website.
- Fill out all of the required information.
- Hit save or submit when you are done.
- The deadline to apply online is: 4 day before Election Day.
Delaware by-mail ballot request
- Download the Delaware absentee ballot application.
- Fill out all of the required fields.
- Print the application.
- Sign and date your application. This is very important.
- Mail or hand-deliver your completed application directly to your local election office as soon as possible, but no later than the deadline.
- If it’s close to the deadline, call your local election office and see if they will let you submit your application via email or fax.
- The deadline to apply by mail is: Received 4 days before Election Day.
Delaware in-person ballot request
- Visit your local election office.
- Ask the clerk to give you an absentee ballot application.
- Fill out all of the required fields.
- Sign and date your application.
- The deadline to apply in person is: 1 day before Election Day.
After you receive your ballot
- Carefully read and follow the instructions, and fill out all required fields.
- Sign and date the outside envelope.
- Mail or hand-deliver your ballot to your local election office. You can also hand-deliver your ballot to a state-provided drop box. You can use our Find Out Where To Vote tool to find an official drop box.
- If you mail your ballot, it must be received by Election Day.
- If you hand-deliver your ballot, it must be received by Election Day.
- If you miss the deadline – or forget to sign the outside envelope – your vote will not be counted.
Delaware absentee ballot ID requirements
- ID required when requesting a mail-in ballot: * Online applications: you will need a Delaware driver's license number or Delaware state ID number. * Paper applications: The signature on your absentee ballot application will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match.
- ID required when returning a mail-in ballot: Your signature on the return envelope will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match. If you forget to sign the return envelope, your ballot might be rejected.
Local election office
Contact your local election office if you have questions.
Statewide election office
This is the statewide agency that is ultimately responsible for Delaware elections. You can contact them with questions, but your local election office will probably respond faster.
State of Delaware Office of the State Election Commissioner 905 S. Governors Ave., Suite 170 Dover, DE 19904
External resources
- Delaware online voter registration
- Delaware online absentee ballot request
- Delaware voter status lookup
- Delaware absentee ballot tracker
- Delaware provisional ballot tracker
- Delaware polling place locator