On Tuesday March 24, 2020 Delaware Governor John Carney issued a sixth modification to his State of Emergency declaration, delaying Delaware elections and suspending residential foreclosures and evictions during the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19).

In terms of voting, the order implements these important changes:

• The April 28 Presidential Primary is delayed until June 2, 2020.
• The May 12th school board elections are delayed until June 16, 2020.
• Self-quarantine or social distancing will be considered valid reasons to vote by absentee ballot.
• Municipal elections originally scheduled between March 24 and May 15, 2020 will also be delayed until after May 15.

“Delawareans have a basic, fundamental right to vote. Today’s order will preserve that right and allow Delawareans to vote by absentee ballot in the presidential primary on June 2,” said Governor Carney.

The Governor's announcement came just days after the League of Women Voters of Delaware (LWVDE) sent a letter to the Governor outlining their concerns. The League thanks the Governor and Delaware elections officials for taking this important step to preserve voting rights in these challenging times.

The full text of the emergency declaration order can be seen here.

For registration information or to request an absentee ballot for statewide elections, go to the Delaware Department of Elections ivote.de.gov voter portal.

Absentee ballots for Delaware school board elections or referenda can be obtained at your county's department of elections. For example, in New Castle County the electionsncc.delaware.gov/PubSchool/sch_abs.shtml web page has the NCC school board absentee information and forms.

Delaware VOTE411

The Delaware VOTE411 voter guide for school board elections will launch on May 4, 2020 (rather than the planned date in early April). This will give candidates time to formulate their responses when the current preoccupation with more pressing business has eased.