At a Glance: Delaware

Delaware Voting Rules

Voter Registration Form:
Printable voter registration forms are not available online. Voter registration forms can be requested from any local Department of Elections Office. A list of local Department of Elections Offices can be found here.

Deadline to Register:
The fourth Saturday prior to the election (Oct 11, 2008).

Voter Eligibility:
In order to register to vote in Delaware, individuals must: be at least 18 years of age by Election Day; be a United States citizen; be a resident of Delaware (proof required); and be mentally competent.

Identification Requirements:
It is not necessary to provide ID when registering to vote, but ID is required to be shown at polling locations on Election Day.

Where to Turn in Your Registration:
Forms should be turned in to the voter’s local Department of Elections Office. A list of local Department of Elections Offices can be found here.

How to Register Others:
In order to register voters, individuals must become a Registrar. To become a Registrar contact the Trainer Educator, Deb Grier, at the Office of the Commissioner of Elections at 302-739-4277. She will be able to appoint Registrars as well as provide any additional information necessary to registering voters.

Absentee Voting: Absentee voting is allowed. Excuses are required.
Excuses: A registered voter can request an absentee ballot if they are prevented from voting at the polling place for any of the following reasons: the nature of their business or occupation (including students); service or a spouse's service to the United States or to the State of Delaware; the tenets or teaching of religion; vacation; illness; disability; incarceration (not for a felony).
Certain excuses require the signature of a notary. See Affidavit for Absentee Ballot form for list of excuses.
Application Process: Absentee ballots may be requested by filling out an Affidavit for Absentee Ballot form. Forms can be found here.
Applications should be returned to the voter’s local Department of Elections. A list of local Departments of Elections can be found here.
Dates: Ballots may be returned by mail or hand delivered to the local County Department of Elections. Ballots must be received no later than 12 noon the day before Election Day (Nov 3, 2008). Ballots received after that time and before 8 p.m. on Election Day will be counted for federal offices only.

Early Vote:
Registered voters may vote by absentee ballot in-person once ballots are available between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. on normal business days at the voter's local Department of Elections. For more information contact the local Department of Elections. A list of local Departments of Elections can be found here.

For More Information
Office of the Commissioner of Elections
111 South West Street, Suite 10
Dover, DE 19904
Phone: 302-739-4277
Fax: 302-739-6794
E-Mail: COE_VOTE@State.de.us
Visit their website

Info about veterans, voting in other states, etc.

Please see this website for more information on U.S. Military Voter Services and voting overseas.

Click here to return to our Voter Registration Action Center home page.

Read our voter registration event guide here.

Visit Delaware's state home page.