How to vote in Delaware
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Delaware voter registration guide
- Register to vote (online): 24 days before Election Day
- Register to vote (by mail): Postmarked by 24 days before Election Day
- Register to vote (in person): 24 days before Election Day
- If you can't remember if you're registered to vote, or you want to make sure your information is correct, you can check your Delaware registration using the Delaware voter registration lookup site.
- If you're not registered to vote, or you need to update your voter registration information, follow the instructions below.
To register in Delaware you must:
- be a citizen of the United States
- be a permanent resident of Delaware
- be 18 years old by the next General Election
- not be mentally incompetent
- if you have been convicted of a felony, you are eligible to vote as long as you have served your sentence (including parole) and your convictions were not for disqualifying felonies, including: murder and manslaughter (except vehicular homicide), sexual offenses, or crimes against public administration involving bribery or improper influence or abuse of office.
You can register to vote online if you have a Delaware driver license, driver permit, or nondriver ID card.
- Visit the Delaware online voter registration site.
- Fill out all the required fields.
- You will be registered to vote as soon as you finish the workflow.
- You should receive your voter registration card in the mail within 2-3 weeks. If not, you might want to follow up with your local election office.
- The deadline to register to vote online is 24 days before Election Day.
- Download and fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
- Box 6 - ID Number: Provide your Delaware driver’s license number or nonoperating identification number. If you do not either of these numbers, provide the last 4 digits of your social security number. If you do not have any of these numbers, please write “NONE” on this space.
- Box 7 - Choice of Party: You must register with a party if you want to take part in that party’s primary election, caucus, or convention.
- Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank.
- Print, date, and sign the form. If you do not have a printer, you can print the form out at any local library. If you do not have a stamp, you can buy one from any grocery store: just ask the cashier to sell you one.
- Mail your voter registration form to the mailing address below. For faster delivery, send the form directly to your local election office.
- Your voter registration form must be postmarked by 24 days before Election Day.
- Contact your local election office to find where to register to vote in person.
- Bring your Delaware driver's license or state ID card with you. If you don't have one, bring ONE photo ID that shows your name, and ONE document that shows your name and Delaware address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, residential lease, or any government document that shows your name and address.
Voting rights in Delaware are automtically restored after probation or parole for most felonies. Voting rights are not automatically restored if you were convicted of murder, manslaughter (except vehicular homicide), an offense against public administration involving bribery or improper influence or abuse of office, election offenses, or any felony constituting a sexual offense.
- You cannot vote while incarcerated.
- You cannot vote while on parole.
- You cannot vote while on probation.
- You cannot vote upon completion of your sentence.
- Financial obligations:
- parole fees
- probation fees
- Please visit Restore Your Vote for additional information.
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
Delaware early voting guide
- Early voting starts: At least 10 days before Election Day
- Early voting ends: 2 days before Election Day
You must show a photo ID that includes either your signature or your current address. Acceptable IDs include an ID issued by any state or the Federal Government, a tribal ID, a student ID, or an employee ID. If your ID doesn't include your current address, you will also need to bring utility bill, bank statement, residential lease, paycheck, or any government document that shows your name and current address. If you don't have the correct ID, you can sign an personal identification affidavit and then vote a provisional ballot.
Delaware voter ID guide
You must show a photo ID that includes either your signature or your current address. Acceptable IDs include an ID issued by any state or the Federal Government, a tribal ID, a student ID, or an employee ID. If your ID doesn't include your current address, you will also need to bring utility bill, bank statement, residential lease, paycheck, or any government document that shows your name and current address. If you don't have the correct ID, you can sign an personal identification affidavit and then vote a provisional 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.
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.
You can register to vote online if you have a Delaware driver license, driver permit, or nondriver ID card.
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