What to know ahead of Delaware’s 2024 state primary election

What are the deadlines I need to know?

Below are deadlines specific to voting in Delaware’s state primary:

• Voter registration
  • In person: Saturday, Aug. 17
  • By mail: Postmarked by Saturday, Aug. 17
• Absentee/mail ballot request
  • In person: Monday, Sept. 9
  • By mail: Received by Monday, Sept. 9
  • Online: Monday, Sep. 9
• Absentee/mail ballot return
  • In-person: Tuesday, Sept. 10
  • By mail: Received by Tuesday, Sept. 10
• Early voting
  • Wednesday, Aug. 28 – Sunday, Sept. 8
  • NOTE: No early voting on Sunday, Sept. 1 or Monday, Sept. 2 due to Labor Day holiday

What happened to Delaware’s presidential primary?

The Republican Party was supposed to be the only party with a 2024 presidential primary election, but Delaware lawmakers eliminated it after candidate Nikki Haley dropped out of the race, leaving former President Donald Trump as the party’s presumptive nominee.

What does a ‘closed primary’ mean?

Delaware has a closed primary system, which means that only Democrats and Republicans can vote for their party’s nominees to run in the general election.

Can I still register to vote?

Yes. The voter registration deadline for Delaware’s state primary is Saturday, Aug. 17. Delawareans can register to vote online.

Who can register to vote?

Anyone can register to vote, so long as they will have been a U.S. citizen for at least 30 days before the election, are a resident of Delaware and are going to be at least 18 on or before Election Day.

Anyone convicted of a felony and who has completed their sentence can vote as long as they were not convicted of a “disqualifying felony.” Disqualifying felonies include murder or manslaughter (except vehicular homicide); any felony constituting an offense against a public administration involving bribery or improper influence or abuse of office; or any felony constituting a sexual offense.

Can I still apply for an absentee ballot?

Absentee ballot applications must be received by Monday, Sept. 9.

Can I vote early in person?

Early voting for the state primary election will take place from Wednesday, Aug. 28 through Sunday, Sept. 8, with exceptions for the Labor Day holiday. There will be no early voting offered on Sunday, Sept. 1 or Monday, Sept. 2. Early voting locations have yet to be announced.

When must absentee ballots be received?

Completed absentee ballots must be received by the elections office for your county by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Postmarks do not count.

How will I know if my absentee ballot was processed?

Voters can check the status of their absentee ballots online.

What if I want to vote in person?

Delawareans who would prefer to vote the old-fashioned way can do so in person on Election Day at the polls, which will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters can find their polling places online.

Where is my polling place?

Voters can find their polling places online.

What if I received an absentee ballot but want to vote in person?

Voters who receive absentee or mail ballots can opt to vote in person on Election Day. To do so, voters must bring their ballots and the pre-addressed outer return envelopes to be voided. After they surrender their ballots and envelopes and sign a declaration, they can vote using a regular ballot.

What happens if I request an absentee ballot and don’t receive it?

Voters who request a mail ballot but don’t receive it, or don’t have it to surrender, may vote by provisional ballot at their polling places. The provisional ballots will be reviewed by the county board of elections post-Election Day to determine whether they will be counted.

Who is on the ballot?

U.S. Senate

• Democrat
  • Pamela Brown
  • Lisa Blunt Rochester
• Republican
  • Eric Hansen
  • William Taylor

U.S. House

• Democrat
  • Curtis Aiken
  • Alexander Geise
  • Sarah McBride
  • Eugene Young
• Republican
  • Donyale Hall

Governor

• Democrat
  • Bethany Hall-Long
  • Matt Meyer
  • Collin O’Mara

State executive

• Lieutenant governor
  • Democrat
    • Kyle Evans Gay
    • Debbie Harrington
    • Sherry Dorsey Walker
    • David Lamar Williams Jr.
• Insurance commissioner
  • Democrat
    • Kayode Abegunde

Delaware voter info & resources

• Check to see if you are registered to vote
• Register to vote
• View a sample ballot based on your address
• Sign up to become a poll worker
• Find your polling place
• Apply for a mail ballot
• Apply for an absentee ballot
• Check the status of your mail or absentee ballot