IMPORTANT NOTICE: All General Election information presented here, including dates and deadlines, is accurate as of November 2020. The US General Election on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 has now passed. You can still find information on important dates here, including when ballots must be received by your state.

How to register to vote in Delaware

The information on this page applies to the November 3, 2020 General Election. Voting for that election has ended in all states.

Who can vote

You may register to vote in Delaware if you:
  • are a citizen of the United States;
  • are a resident of Delaware; (Delaware is your home);
  • will be 18 years old on or before the date of the next general election;
  • have NOT been adjudged mentally incompetent (adjudged mentally incompetent refers to a specific finding in a judicial guardianship or equivalent proceeding, based on clear and convincing evidence that the individual has a severe cognitive impairment which precludes exercise of basic voting judgment);
  • have NOT been convicted of a felony, unless you have completed your sentence;
  • have NOT been convicted of a disqualifying felony and have not been pardoned.
  • List of disqualifying felonies include: murder or manslaughter (except vehicular homicide); any felony constituting an offense against public administration involving bribery or improper influence or abuse of office, or any like offense under the laws of any state or local jurisdiction, or of the United States, or of the District of Columbia; or any felony constituting a sexual offense, or any like offense under the laws of any state or local jurisdiction or of the United States or of the District of Columbia.
  • *find more information on voting rights restoration here

Online voter registration

  • Delaware offers online voter registration.
  • You should know: you need either a Delaware ID or your Social Security number to use Delaware's online voter registration system. If you choose not to provide this information, you can still register by mail to vote.

By-mail voter registration

Use the Delaware voter registration form

You can also register to vote using the Delaware voter registration form. Be sure to read the instructions carefully and fill it out completely. Send the completed form to your county election office

Use the National Voter Registration Form

  1. Print and fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
  2. Box 6 - ID Number: Your completed voter registration form must contain your Delaware driver's license number or Delaware State ID number. If you do not have a driver's license or Delaware State ID, you must include the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you do not have a driver's license or a Delaware State ID or a Social Security number, please write "NONE" on the form. A unique identifying number will be assigned by the State.
  3. Box 7 - Choice of Party: Delaware requires that you register with a party to participate in partisan primary elections. You should register with the party whose primary you would like to vote in. Please note that only registered Democrats and Republicans may vote in Presidential Primary or State Primary Elections in Delaware.
  4. Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank. This information is not required.
  5. Review the "Who can vote?" section above and check that you're eligible.
  6. Sign the form.
  7. Send the completed form to your county election office
  8. If you are registering to vote for the first time in your jurisdiction and are mailing this registration application, Federal law requires you to show proof of identification the first time you vote. Proof of identification includes: A current and valid photo identification or A current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or government document that shows your name and address. More information here.

Election Day registration

Delaware does not offer registration on Election Day.

In-person voter registration

Due to COVID-19, in-person services may have limited availability. Contact your county election office to confirm. See CDC guidance on safe in-person registration and voting.

Get step-by-step help

If you’d like more help planning how to register, TurboVote can walk you through the process! They can also help you start the absentee/mail-in ballot request process, send you election reminders, and more.

Military and overseas voters

Active-duty military, their families, and overseas citizens can register to vote and request their absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA process is done by mail, but your state may offer other options to request and return ballots. Please contact your election official for more information about delivery and return methods, including email, fax, and state online portals. To follow the FPCA process:
  1. Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or download a copy. Your election official may have questions, so please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.
  2. Send the application to your election official.
  3. It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.
  4. Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
  5. States begin mailing absentee ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven't received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your county election office.
If after submitting your FPCA, your ballot does not arrive, contact your election official first. Then:
  • You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign, and mail your FWAB to your county election office.
  • If you mail a FWAB and then receive your regular absentee ballot, you should complete and mail your absentee ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program – FVAP.gov offers additional information on military and overseas voting in Delaware. You can also call 1-800-438-VOTE or email vote@fvap.gov

Check your voter registration status

You can look up your voter registration record and verify that your information is correct using Delaware's voter registration lookup tool.

Election contact information for Delaware

Address:
State Election Commissioner
905 S. Governors Ave Suite 170
Dover, DE 19904

Phone Number:
(302) 739-4277

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