Elections 2026

Election 2026: Key dates and deadlines to watch for Pa., Philly, N.J. and Del.

Voters will head to the polls to weigh in on races for U.S. Senate, governor, state legislatures and beyond.

Maria Pulcinella

March 28, 2026

A ‘’Vote Here’’ sign is seen at a Fishtown polling place on primary Election Day, May 20, 2025. (Maria Pulcinella/WHYY)

What questions do you have about the 2026 elections? What major issues do you want candidates to address? Let us know.

Election season is underway in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

Here are the election dates and deadlines you need to know:

Pennsylvania

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Election dates
- Pennsylvania primary election day: Tuesday, May 19
- Pennsylvania general Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 3
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Primary election deadlines
- Deadline to register to vote: Monday, May 4
- Deadline to apply for a mail or absentee ballot: 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 12
- Deadline for county election offices to receive mail or civilian absentee ballot: 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 19 (postmarks do not count)
- Deadline to submit military or overseas absentee ballots: 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 18 (county election offices must receive by Tuesday, May 26)
- Last day for county election offices to receive completed military and overseas absentee ballots (submitted for delivery no later than 11:59 P.M. on May 18): Tuesday, May 26
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New Jersey

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Election dates
- New Jersey primary Election Day: Tuesday, June 2
  - Early voting for New Jersey primary: Friday, May 26 – Sunday, May 31
- New Jersey general Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 3
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Primary election deadlines
- Voter registration
  - In person, by mail or online: Tuesday, May 12
- Mail ballot request
  - In person: 3 p.m. Monday, June 1
  - By mail: Tuesday, May 26
  - For qualified overseas civilian and military voters: Friday, May 29
- Mail ballot return
  - In person: 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 2
  - By mail
    - If not postmarked: Thursday, June 4
    - If postmarked: Monday, June 8
- Early voting: Friday, May 26 – Sunday, May 31
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Delaware

Election dates
- Delaware state primary Election Day: Tuesday, Sept. 15
- Delaware general Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 3
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Primary election deadlines
- Voter registration
  - In person: Saturday, Aug. 22
  - For uniformed service members and citizens living outside the U.S.: Monday, Aug. 31
- Absentee/mail ballot request
  - In person: Friday, Sept. 11
  - By mail: Received by Friday, Sept. 11
  - Online: Friday, Sept. 11
- Absentee/mail ballot return
  - In-person: Tuesday, Sept. 15
  - By mail: Received by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15
- Early voting (tentative)
  - Wednesday, Sept. 2 – Saturday, Sept. 5: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  - Tuesday, Sept. 8: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  - Wednesday, Sept. 9 – Sunday, Sept. 13: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Party affiliation change
  - Friday, May 29
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Part of the series

Voters wait in line to cast their ballots at a polling place at Rowan College in Mount Laurel, N.J., Monday, Oct. 27, 2025.

Elections 2026

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About Maria Pulcinella

@mariapulcinella mpulcinella@whyy.org

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Election 2026: Key dates and deadlines to watch for Pa., Philly, N.J. and Del.

Voters will head to the polls to weigh in on races for U.S. Senate, governor, state legislatures and beyond.

Pennsylvania

Election dates

Primary election deadlines

New Jersey

Election dates

Primary election deadlines

Delaware

Election dates

Primary election deadlines

Part of the series

Elections 2026

About Maria Pulcinella

Pennsylvania

New Jersey

Delaware

Part of the series

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About Maria Pulcinella