Primary Election

When is Delaware's Primary?

• 2026 Early Voting & Primary Election Notice not yet available
• Delaware's 2026 Primary Election is Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
• Early Voting is tentatively scheduled for:
  • September 2, 2026 – September 5, 2026, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Labor Day Holiday – No Early Voting September 6^th and 7^th
  • September 8, 2026, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • September 9, 2026 – September 13, 2026, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Polling Places are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Primary Election Day, September 15, 2026.

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.

What are the three options to vote in Delaware?

Voters have the following three options for voting in Delaware:

• Absentee Voting (if you are eligible, includes permanent absentee voting)
• Early Voting
• Election Day Voting

Where do I vote?

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

How can I get my sample ballot?

• 2026 Primary Election Sample Ballots are not yet available.

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.

Who are the Primary Candidates?

• List of Primary Election candidates

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 29, 2026.
  • State Primary Election Party Change Deadline Notice not yet available
• The deadline to register to vote if you are not yet registered and want to vote in the Primary Election is Saturday, August 22, 2026.
  • Primary Election Voter Registration Deadline Notice not yet available
  • Uniformed service members and citizens living outside the United States who are not yet registered, must register to vote by August 31, 2026 to vote in the Primary election.
• The last day to submit a request for a Primary Election absentee ballot to be mailed is Friday, September 11, 2026.
• The deadline for the Department of Elections to issue absentee ballots for the Primary Election is Monday, September 14, 2026 at noon.
• Absentee ballots must be received by the Department of Elections by Primary Election Day September 15, 2026 at the close of polls, 8 p.m., in order to count.
• Primary Election Early Voting Dates & Times (tentative schedule):
  • September 2, 2026 – September 5, 2026, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Labor Day Holiday – No Early Voting September 6^th and 7^th
  • September 8, 2026, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • September 9, 2026 – September 13, 2026, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Please review Delaware's Election Calendar for important dates and deadlines.

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.

When is the last day to file?

• The Candidate Filing Deadline is Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at noon.
• The Candidate Withdrawal Deadline is Friday, July 17, 2026 at 4:30 p.m.
• Key dates and deadlines can be found on the 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 Getting on the Ballot webpage.

I need help! Who do I contact?

• Department of Elections contact information

Where do I find election results?

• Election results