Delaware absentee and mail ballot guide
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
- Earliest day to apply: January 1
- Request deadline (online): 4 days before Election Day
- Request deadline (by mail): Received by 4 days before Election Day
- Request deadline (in person): 4 days 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
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),
- 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 days before Election Day.
- 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.
- Your application must be received by 4 days before Election Day.
- 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 4 days before Election Day.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Track your ballot here: Delaware absentee ballot tracker
Ballot curing is the process of resolving any problems with your absentee or mail ballot to ensure that your vote is counted. After tracking your ballot, contact your local election office to fix any issues that have been noted.
- Your ballot will be rejected if your signature is missing or if your signature does not match the one the state has on file for you.
- You must make corrections by 8:00 pm on Election Day for your vote to count.
Some states have special procedures that allow you to obtain an emergency ballot if a medical or other emergency occurs after the standard absentee ballot application window.
Emergency Ballot Rules
There is no emergency ballot provision, but you have until NOON the day before Election Day to submit a ballot request.
Dates & Deadlines
Delaware does not offer emergency ballots.
Contact your local election office
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