Election Day · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
How to vote in Delaware
The deadlines, early voting, mail ballots and ID rules for Delaware, and what happens after the polls close. Every fact links to the Delaware Department of Elections or the law it comes from. Rules change, and courts sometimes change them close to an election, so confirm anything you are relying on with the state.
Checked against official sources on October 7.
Key dates
- Register online by
Saturday, October 10
By 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, October 10 (15 Del. C. § 2036). Online through the iVote portal.
- Register by mail by
Saturday, October 10
Same statutory deadline; the calendar does not say whether a postmark is enough.
- Register in person by
Saturday, October 10
- Same-day registration
No
The only post-deadline exception is for military and overseas citizens, who may register through October 19.
- Early voting
Thursday, October 22 to Sunday, November 1
- How early voting works
7 a.m.–7 p.m. October 22–24 and 26–27; no early voting Sunday, October 25; 11 a.m.–7 p.m. October 28 – November 1. Designated early voting sites in each county.
- Request a mail ballot by
Friday, October 30
Last day to request a ballot that will be mailed. Ballots can still be issued in person until noon on November 2.
- Return your mail ballot by
Tuesday, November 3
Received, not postmarked: absentee ballots must reach the county Department of Elections office by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
- Election Day polling hours
7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Voting by mail
- Who can vote by mail
You need a reason to vote by mail
15 Del. C. § 5502: public service or overseas residence, military, business or occupation (including caring for a family member), illness or disability, vacation, religious reasons, or UOCAVA. Qualifying voters may request permanent absentee status.
- Ballots arriving after Election Day
Not counted — your ballot must arrive by the deadline
Absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Ballots with a fixable defect can be cured until polls close (§ 5509A).
ID at the polls
- The rule
ID requested (photo not needed)
Voters are asked for ID; a voter without it may vote after signing an Affidavit of Affirmation of Voter Identity once registration is confirmed.
- What to bring
Show one ID: Delaware driver's license or state ID, or a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or government document with your name and address. Without ID, sign an affidavit and vote.
When will we know results in Delaware?
How fast results come in depends mostly on when the polls close and when election officials are allowed to start on mail ballots. Totals shown on election night are unofficial until the state certifies them.
- Last polls close
8 p.m. Eastern time
Eastern time.
- Mail ballots can be processed from
Sunday, October 4
The Department may open envelopes, prepare and scan absentee ballots beginning 30 days before the election at public meetings (15 Del. C. § 5510(a)).
- Mail ballots can be counted from
Sunday, October 4
Ballots are scanned for tabulation during pre-processing (§ 5510(e)). When totals may be released was not confirmed.
- Counties finish their count by
Thursday, November 5
The Board of Canvass meets in Superior Court in each county at 10 a.m. on November 5 to certify results (Del. Const. art. V, § 6; 15 Del. C. § 5701).
- Automatic recount
Under 1,000 votes or 0.5%, whichever is less — legislative and county offices only
For state senator, state representative and county offices, the Court recounts at state expense (15 Del. C. § 5702(e)).
- Requested recount
A statewide candidate may apply to the Court for a recount at state expense if the margin is under 1,000 votes or under 0.5% of votes for the two candidates, whichever is less. The request must be made before the Board of Canvass adjourns.
15 Del. C. § 5702(c).
- Runoff
No runoff — the candidate with the most votes wins
No runoff; plurality wins.
- Ranked-choice voting
Not used
Not used.
- Votes needed to pass a ballot measure
No popular vote on constitutional amendments
Del. Const. art. XVI, § 1: an amendment becomes part of the Constitution if two-thirds of all members of each house agree to it before a general election and again in the next General Assembly. It is not submitted to voters, so no vote threshold applies to constitutional amendments.
What’s on your ballot
Every contest you will vote on, from Congress to school board, with each candidate’s positions and record and the arguments for and against them.
Confirm this with the official source
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Delaware Department of Elections.