The right to vote is a fundamental principle of our democracy. When more Americans can participate in our elections, the outcome better reflects who we are as a country. We work year-round at the state and local level to enact voting reforms that best increase turnout and help new communities participate in the process, making our elections more free, fair and accessible. - League of Women Voters

UPDATED: 3/25/24

• Register to vote today!
• Go to This Way to the Voting Booth for details.

2024 Election & Voting Information

• For information on all elections, refer to The Delaware Department of Elections website.
• The Department of Elections for New Castle County: Telephone: 302-577-3464
• The Department of Elections for Kent County Telephone: 302-739-4498
• The Department of Elections for Sussex County Telephone: 302-856-5367

Voting Information for all Delaware Residents 

• Does Voting Matter?  Real Answers from Real People. A brief video created by members of LWVDE.
• You Must register to vote in Delaware elections, except for School Board elections. 

• Finding your polling place as we get closer to Election Day, you will be able to find your polling place, use VOTE411.
• ID needed for voting: Identification is required ONLY if you have registered using the National Voter Registration Form and thus did not supply it originally.
• In that case, the voter must present current identification which includes a current and valid photo ID that shows full name and address. If a photo ID cannot be produced, a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government documents that show full name and address will be accepted. Identification is also required the first time you vote in person or with an in-person absentee ballot.

Absentee Ballot Process

To vote absentee, you must submit an affidavit to request a ballot and swear or affirm that you are unable to go to your regular polling place during the election. There are separate affidavits for each type of election and for each county. The affidavit can be obtained by phoning or writing your County Board of Elections or your county's affidavit may be downloaded from the Delaware Election Commission site.

Early Voting

You may vote by absentee ballot in-person at your County Board of Elections. Contact the Board of Elections office to determine when absentee ballots will be available and the hours for voting. Be sure to take proof of identity with you when you go to vote. In-office voting ends on the Monday before Tuesday election days, November 5 for the 2012 General Election. Find a link to your County Department of Elections above.

Polling Place Hours

The polling place hours are 7:00 am to 8:00 pm. If you are in line waiting to vote at closing time, you may cast your vote even if it is done after 8:00 pm.

Provisional Voting

If you are a registered voter in your election district but your name does not appear on the official poll list, you may be able to vote by updating the record of a name or address change or by provisional ballot. Provisional ballots cover only federal offices such as President, Vice President, US Senate, and US Congress. 

Voting Machines

The voting system used in Delaware is Direct Recording Electronic (DRE). This is the newest kind of system in use in the U.S. 

For Voters with Special Needs

All people qualified and desiring to vote must be given the opportunity to do so. It is the goal of the State of Delaware to provide all citizens with any necessary assistance to make that happen: Accessible polling places, Accessible voting machines, Voting by Absentee Ballot, Assistance at any point as a means of accommodation. For details, go to the Department of Elections for Delaware.

Administrative Complaints

If you experience a problem with voting systems standards, provisional voting or any other voting problem covered by Title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) and wish to register a formal complaint, there is a specific process to do so. Find details at the Department of Elections for Delaware.

Candidates Services

Find information for candidates for public office in Delaware including how to register to be a candidate, voter statistics, and past election reports as well as online Delaware state law resources about candidate activities and guidelines. 

For information about voting and elections not covered above: Contact your county Department of Elections. See the links above.

Town and city charters determine voter qualifications for municipal elections. Some allow property owners who are not full-time residents to vote and to serve on the local council or commission. Most municipal elections are held separately from general elections in the state.

To vote in city or town elections you must register with the local jurisdiction. The Delaware League of Local Governments provides links to websites of local governments in Delaware. You can find contact information there.

To vote in city elections that are placed on the state general election ballot a person must be registered with the state before voting.

The state has established requirements for the conduct of municipal elections. There is a separate affidavit to apply for an absentee ballot in municipal elections. Contact your County Department of Elections. See the links below.

To vote in school board elections a person must be a resident in the school district holding the election and be at least 18 years of age. Advance registration is not necessary. You may vote by absentee ballot if you cannot be present on election day. Contact your county Department of Elections for information. See the links above.

Vote411 was launched by the League of Women Voters Education Fund (LWVEF) in October of 2006, VOTE411 is a "one-stop-shop" for election-related information. It provides nonpartisan information to the public with both general and state-specific information on all aspects of the election process.

End of Update

A few more wise words

“We do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.”   —  Thomas Jefferson   

“One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.” — Plato

“Someone struggled for your right to vote. Use it.” — Susan B. Anthony

“Nobody will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote except the American people themselves and the only way they could do this is by not voting.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt

"Voters don't decide issues, they decide who will decide issues." — George Will

"Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education." — Franklin D. Roosevelt

Voting Machines

Delaware purchased new voting systems in 2018. The new machines were used for the first time in the school board elections in May 2019. After you mark your choices on the electronic screen, the new voting machines print a paper ballot as the ballot of record. It is very important to carefully review the paper ballot to make sure it reflects your true choices, before finalizing your vote. The paper ballot will be used for recounts when needed, and for routine post-election audits that verify machine accuracy.

View this video to see how to cast your vote using the new machines.

Civics Video Series

The League of Women Voters of Delaware created a series of civics videos now posted on YouTube, entitled, We’re the WE in "We the People".   It is a series of videos on government for those who have never had a civics course and a brush-up course for those who have but need to be reminded why it matters. 

It is composed of 2 groups of videos with 7 segments on the Federal Constitution and 3 on the Delaware Constitution.  It was funded in part by Delaware Humanities. 

Watch the videos to learn how your govenment functions and how important your vote is.

Additional Resources

This Way to the Voting Booth - A citizens guide to registering and voting that was produced by the League of Women Voters of Delaware, in partnership with AARP. (A 4-page PDF document)

They Represent You - A listing of Delaware elected officials compiled by the League of Women Voters of Delaware, Inc. (A 2-page PDF document)

 

The Lobby Handbook is a project of the Delaware Office of Women’s Advancement & Advocacy and the League of Women Voters of Delaware. The Lobby Handbook is intended to be a viable and useable publication for individuals, groups and organizations seeking to expand their knowledge of the Delaware Legislature. Sources of information contained in the Handbook include: Tell It to Washington (League of Women Voters of the United States); Delaware Government (League of Women Voters of Delaware), and the State of Delaware Division of Research. (A 35-page PDF document)

  Vote411 is an informative, current, online guide pertaining to 2018 elections as well as registration and voting in general in the State of Delaware.