Delaware Absentee Voter Guide

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

Important Deadlines

• Voter registration: Postmarked at least 20 days before the election
• Absentee ballot application: Received by the Friday before the election
• Absentee ballot due: Received by 8pm on election day

How to vote by absentee ballot

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.

Verify your voter registration

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.

Make sure you're eligible to vote by absentee ballot

You may vote by absentee ballot in Delaware 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 (but not for a felony).

Apply for your absentee ballot

There are two different absentee ballot applications:

1. Delaware absentee ballot application (for general and special elections)
2. Delaware absentee ballot application (for primary and presidential 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.

Receive, complete, and return your absentee ballot

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.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do I need to provide ID when I register to vote?

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.

Do I need to provide ID when I apply for my absentee ballot?

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.

I won't be able to go to the polls on election day but don't want to vote by mail.  Can I vote in person before the election?

No, Delaware does not allow in-person early voting.

Additional Information