Primary Election

• When is Delaware's Primary?
• Why are there Primary Elections?
• What offices are up for election?
• Which political parties are involved?
• What are key dates and deadlines?
• When is the last day to file?
• How and where do I file?

• Who are the Primary Candidates?
• How do I get an absentee ballot?
• Where is my absentee ballot?
• Who can vote in a primary?
• Where do I vote?
• I need help! Who do I contact?
• Where do I find election results?

When is Delaware's Primary?

• Delaware's 2024 Primary Election is Tuesday, September 10, 2024
• Delaware's Primary is the second Tuesday after the first Monday in September.
• Polls are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Why are there Primary Elections?

• Primary Elections choose candidates for the General Election when more people from the same party file for an office than can be elected.

What offices are up for election?

• Elected office schedule.
• Note: the offices on the primary ballot are those for which more people from the same party have filed for an office than can be elected.

Which political parties are involved?

• Delaware's major political parties: the Democratic and Republican Parties.

What are the key dates and deadlines?

• The Party Change Deadline is Friday, May 24, 2024.
  • State Primary Election Party Change Deadline Notice
  • Primary Election 2024 Party Change Deadline: Friday, May 24, 2024 YouTube Video
  • Only voters who were automatically registered to vote at DMV by the State Primary Election Voter Registration Deadline of August 17, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. and have their party listed on their voter registration as No Party-AVR may change their political party affiliation at the early voting site or polling place in order to vote in their party’s State Primary Election.
• The deadline to register to vote if you are not yet registered is Saturday, August 17, 2024.
  • Uniformed service members and citizens living outside the United States who are not yet registered, must to register to vote by August 26, 2024 to vote in the State Primary election.
• The last day to submit a request for a Primary Election absentee ballot to be mailed is Friday, September 6, 2024.
• The deadline for the Department of Elections to issue absentee ballots for the Primary Election is Monday, September 9, 2024 at noon.
• Absentee ballots must be received by the Department of Elections by Election Day September 10, 2024 at the close of polls, 8 p.m., in order to count.
• Primary Election Early Voting Dates & Times:
  • August 28, 2024 – August 31, 2024 & September 3, 2024, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • September 4, 2024 – September 8, 2024, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Please review Delaware's Election Calendar for important dates and deadlines.

When is the last day to file?

• The Candidate Filing Deadline is Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at noon.
• The Candidate Withdrawal Deadline is Friday, July 12, 2024 at 4:30 p.m.
• Key dates and deadlines can be found on the 2024 Election Calendar.

How and where do I file?

• File by filling out a candidate filing form and paying the filing fee.
• Statewide candidates file at the State Election Commissioner's Office.
• Legislative and county candidates file at the Department of Elections for the county where they live.
• More information is on our Candidate Information Page.

Who are the Primary Candidates?

• List of Primary Election candidates

How do I get an absentee ballot?

• Go to the Absentee Services section of the iVote home page and select your situation.
• Fill out an Absentee Statement (Application).
• Send the Statement (Application) to Department by mail, email or FAX
• You can vote at the Department when it is open for Absentee Voting.
• More information is on our Absentee Voting Page.

Where is my absentee ballot?

• Absentee ballots will be sent starting about late July.
• Check on the status of yours with the State's Voter Portal.
• Call the Department.

Who can vote in a primary?

• Only Democrats can vote in the Democratic Primary.
• Only Republicans can vote in the Republican Primary.
• The deadline to change party affiliation before the Primary is the last Friday in May.
• You may change your party affiliation after the Primary.

Where do I vote?

• Use the on-line Voter Portal to find where you vote.
• List of Voting Locations
• Call the Department of Elections.

I need help! Who do I contact?

• Department of Elections contact information

Where do I find election results?

• Election results