Delaware Absentee Voter Guide

Military and overseas voters should check out the Overseas Vote Foundation.  Long Distance Voter's forms and deadlines should only be used by voters with US mailing addresses.

Mail-In Deadlines

General Election: November 4, 2008

• Voter registration: Postmarked by October 11, 2008
• Absentee ballot application: Received by October 31, 2008
• Absentee ballot due: Received by 8pm on Election Day

Voter Registration

To register to vote in Delaware you must:

• be a citizen of the United States
• be a permanent resident of Delaware
• be at least 18 years old on the date of the next general election
• felons are eligible to vote if certain requirements are met: fines and sentence completed at least five years prior to application date; felony convictions can not be disqualifying felonies, which are murder, sexual offenses, or crimes against public administration involving bribery or improper influence or abuse of office.
• not be mentally incompetent

How to register to vote:

• Recommended: Use our Voter Registration Widget.  Enter your information, print and sign the completed form, and mail it to the address printed on the form.  
• You can also register online with the Delaware Secretary of State.  The site will help you prepare a voter registration form.  Print and sign your completed form, and mail it to the Department of Elections for your county

ID requirements for first-time voters:

If you registering for the first time in Delaware, and you register by mail, you MUST provide proof of your identification. If you don't include ID when you register, then you'll need to provide ID the first time you vote in person or by absentee ballot.  Acceptable forms of ID include: a COPY of a current and valid photo identification OR a COPY of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows your name and Delaware address.

Voter registration verification:

You should receive written confirmation that your voter registration was processed in 2-3 weeks.  Don't panic if you never receive your voter registration card: you don't actually need it to vote.  If you not sure if your registration was processed - or if you simply can't remember if you're register to vote - you can verify your voter registration here.

Absentee Voting

You may vote by absentee ballot if:

• The nature of your work or schooling prevents you from going to your polling place.
• Your service to the United States or to the State of Delaware prevents you from going to your polling place. Spouses or dependents of the person in service also qualify. (Public service includes military, diplomatic, etc.)
• The tenets or teaching of your religion prevent you from going to your polling place.
• You are on vacation on election day.
• You are sick.
• You are permanently or temporarily disabled.
• You are incarcerated. (Not for a felony)   

How to apply for an absentee ballot:

There are two affidavits for an absentee ballot: one for General and Special Elections and one for Primary Elections.  Depending on your reason for voting absentee, you may need to have the affidavit notarized (this group includes students).  Be sure to check the affidavit to see if this applies to you.  Mail your completed affidavits to the Department of Elections for your county. 

ID requirements for absentee voters:

You do not need to include ID if you'e already voted in Delaware at least once.  If you are a first-time Delaware voter, and you registered by mail, and you did NOT include a copy of your ID with your voter registration form, then you MUST include a copy with your absentee ballot affidavit.  Acceptable forms of ID include: a COPY of a current and valid photo identification OR a COPY of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows your name and Delaware address.

Absentee ballot directions: 

Fill in your ballot, put the voted ballot into the envelope, and sign and seal the ballot.  Return your voted ballot to the Department of Elections for your county. (Check out Delaware's instructions for completing and returning an absentee ballot.)  Your ballot must be received by 8pm on Election Day.

Your absentee ballot will not be counted if: you forget to sign the outer envelope; or it appears that someone has altered your signature; or you are not registered to vote; or the absentee ballot envelope is not sealed; or it is evident that the ballot envelope has been opened and resealed; or it is evident that the ballot envelope has been tampered with or altered. 

State Contact Information