How to Vote in Delaware’s 2024 Elections

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• State primary: Tuesday, Sept. 10
• General election: Tuesday, Nov. 5

• Absentee voting: Absentee ballots are available to voters who will be out of town on Election Day or have another acceptable excuse. 

• Early in-person voting: All voters can cast a ballot during early in-person voting.

• Voting at the polls: Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Find your polling place with Delaware’s online lookup tool.

• As of 2023, when you apply for or renew your driver’s license, learner’s permit or ID card with the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, you’re automatically registered to vote.

• Delaware now offers early in-person voting. 

When you apply for or renew your driver’s license, learner’s permit or ID card, or apply to change your name or address with the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, you’ll be automatically registered to vote, as long as you’re eligible. You’ll get a notice by mail that you’ve been registered as an unaffiliated voter. To declare party affiliation or decline registration, return the notice using the provided pre-addressed, postage-paid envelope.

The deadline to register to vote for the state primary is Saturday, Aug. 17.

• Online: Use the state’s voter registration portal to register or check your registration status. You’ll need your driver’s license or state ID number.

• By mail: Print and complete a voter registration form, or call your elections office to request a form. Mail, email or fax the completed form to your county elections office. Include a copy of your Delaware driver’s license, state-issued ID, current utility bill or another document that confirms your name and address.  

• In person: Go to your county elections office, or register during an appointment at a Division of Motor Vehicles office or at any of the locations listed on the Department of Elections website. Bring a valid photo ID or document that contains your name and address, such as a utility bill or bank statement.

Delaware does not offer Election Day voter registration.

You must be registered as a Democrat or a Republican to vote in the state primary election, and you must vote on that party’s ballot. If you’re unaffiliated or registered with a minor party, you can’t vote in the state primary election unless you change your affiliation.

The last day to change your political party affiliation for the state primary is Friday, May 24.

First-time voters who were automatically registered to vote at a Division of Motor Vehicles office

may choose a political party through the day of the first primary election following that registration.

Absentee ballots are available to people who will be out of town on Election Day or who have an acceptable reason not to vote in person.

• Online: Use the state’s voter services portal to complete an application at least four days before an election to receive a ballot by mail. 

• By mail, fax or email: Download, print and complete a ballot application, then mail, fax or email it to your county elections office. The request must be received by Friday, Sept. 6, for the state primary.
  
• In person: Go to your county elections office and fill out an application by noon the day before an election.

Return your completed ballot by mail or in person to your county elections office. You may also have someone deliver your ballot for you. Election officials must receive your absentee ballot by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Use the state’s voter services portal to track the status of your ballot. Call your county elections office with questions.

Early voting is available starting Wednesday, Aug. 28, for the state primary election. Check the Department of Elections website to find early voting locations in your county closer to the date. Polling hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the first five days of early voting and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the last five days.

When arriving to vote, you’ll be asked to provide identification like a valid photo ID, a copy of a utility bill or a bank statement.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Find your polling place with Delaware’s online lookup tool.

You’ll be asked for proof of identity. Acceptable forms of ID include: a Delaware driver’s license or Delaware ID card, U.S. passport, signed polling place card, signed Social Security card, signed vehicle registration or signed credit card with a photo.

If you don’t provide proof of identity but your name appears on the poll list, you may complete an Affidavit of Voter Identity form vowing your identity, and you’ll be permitted to vote.

Delaware provides accessible polling places and voting machines. Voters who need assistance at the polls can request help from an election officer or someone of their choice, as long as that person is not the voter’s employer or a member of a union of which the voter is a member.

Absentee voting options are available to voters who use accessibility tools. Voters who are sick or disabled may request an absentee ballot up until noon the day before an election and can have a ballot electronically delivered and returned. (Electronic instructions will be sent by email.)

Some voters, including people with disabilities and those with round-the-clock caregiving duties, can apply for permanent absentee status.

Find more information on the Department of Elections website.

Key races:

• U.S. President
• Governor
• U.S. Senate: one seat
• U.S. House: one seat
• State House: 41 seats 
• State Senate: 21 seats

Check the Department of Elections website for sample ballots closer to Election Day.

Editor’s note: This guide was updated on March 20, 2024, with new information about voting in the 2024 presidential primary.

Grace Dickinson is a contributing writer who covers federal and state policy. She previously wrote for The Philadelphia Inquirer. Her work has also appeared on sites like HuffPost and Eater.

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