Absentee Voting

• The way a person can vote who cannot go to a Polling Place on Election Day for a reason specified in the Delaware Code.
• A person can vote absentee by mail or at the Department's office in their county.

A person who:

• Is registered to vote;
• Fills out and signs an Absentee Statement (Application);
• Is unable to vote at their assigned polling place on election day due to a reason listed on the absentee ballot application. Please see the absentee ballot application for a list of acceptable reasons for voting absentee by absentee ballot.

• Key Dates & Deadlines Election Calendar

• Use Delaware's online system to complete a form
• Print the Absentee Statement (Application)
• Call the Department's office in your county and ask them to mail one to you; or
• Get one at the Department's office in your county

Yes, if:

• You are registered to vote.
• The Department's office in your county gets your application at least 4 days before the election; and
• You filled out and signed your application

• Those who are sick or temporarily or permanently physically disabled may receive and return their ballot securely via email

Yes, if you:

• Are registered to vote.
• Go to the Department's office in your county:
  • Between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. on normal business days; or
  • Before 12 Noon the day before the election;
• Show proof of identity and address;
• Fill out and sign an application

• Vote your ballot
• Mail it to the Department's office in your county;
• Take it to the Department's office in your county; or
• Have someone take it to the Department's office in your county

1. Get your ballot early. Do not wait until the last minute.
2. Mail your voted ballot back as soon as you can.
3. If you spoil or miss-mark your ballot contact the Department's office in your county.
4. Fill in the ovals with blue or black ink. Do not use any other mark.
5. Sign and date the ballot envelope.
6. Only Democrats can vote in a Democratic Primary and Republicans in a Republican Primary.
7. Only vote for one candidate for each office. (NOTE: You may vote for three candidates for Wilmington City Council-at-Large).
8. Do not write on the ballot except to make your selections or correct a mistake.
9. The Department counts almost all absentee ballots returned on time. A few ballots may not be counted for cause.

• Call, e-mail or fax the Department's office in your county; or
• Visit the Department's office in your county

• Check the status using Delaware's online voter portal;
• Call, e-mail or fax the Department's office in your county; or;
• Visit the Department's office in your county

• If prior to Election Day, please contact the Elections office in your county and request to cancel your absentee ballot.
• When you arrive at your polling place inform the poll worker that you had requested an absentee ballot
• The poll worker will look you up on the pollbook and check your voting status:
  • If you requested an absentee ballot, but have not returned it, a poll worker will contact the Department to cancel your absentee ballot and you will be permitted to vote at the polling place.
  • If your ballot had already been returned to the Department and is being prepared to be counted, you will not be permitted to vote at the polling place.