VOTER REGISTRATION

Registration Deadline: Registration ends 24 days before each election.

Party Affiliation:Delaware has closed primaries, meaning only those voters registered for a certain party may vote in that party's primary. Party affiliation can be changed until the last Friday in May in the year of a general election or can be changed at least 60 days before the presidential primary


VOTER REGISTRATION QUALIFICATIONS

Age: Must be 18 years of age

Citizenship: Must be a United States citizen

Residency: Must be a resident of Delaware (proof required)

Mental Competency: Mentally competent

Felony Convictions: Citizens with felony convictions can have their voting rights restored five years after completion of sentence and payment of fines and fees. Citizens who are convicted of certain disqualifying felonies are permanently disnfranchised: murder, sexual crimes, or crimes against the public. To determine eligibility call (302) 739-4277.

ID Requirements: To register, voters must provide a Delaware driver's license number or Delaware ID number. If neither is possessed a social security number must be provided. If applying for the first time you must submit one of the following:
-A copy of a current and valid photo identification;
-A copy of a current utility bill;
-A copy of a bank statement;
-A copy of a Government check;
-A copy of a paycheck; or
-Or other government document that shows your name and address. 


OBTAINING A VOTER REGISTRATION FORM

Online: Delaware online voter registration

In person: You can register at the Department of Elections office

By mail/ in writing: Call any election office to register to vote by mail

By fax: Contact your local election office

Other Voter Registration Application Information:
At certain government offices:
    - At the Department during normal business hours or when otherwise scheduled.
    - At Division of Motor Vehicle offices when applying for, renewing or updating a Driver's License or State ID Card.
    - At State Service Centers (Department of Health and Social Services) when applying for services.
    - At the Department of Labor: Division of Training and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.
    - At WIC Program offices when applying for services or assistance.
    - At Armed Forces Recruitment Offices when applying for services.
    - At some Social Security offices.
    - At the State Election Commissioner's Office.
    - At institutions of higher education when you register for classes.


VERIFYING YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION STATUS

Online: Locating your polling place here also verifies your registration status

Phone: Contact your County's Department of Elections for verification


ABSENTEE BALLOT QUALIFICATIONS

Who can vote absentee:
If you are a registered voter and you are unable to go to your regular polling place on election day to cast your vote, you may be eligible to vote by absentee ballot.
 - Work: The nature of your work prevents you from going to your polling place.
 - Public Service: 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.)
 - New: Affidavits from military personnel requesting absentee ballots do not require the signature of a Notary or Commissioned Officer.
 - Religion: The tenets or teaching of your religion prevent you from going to your polling place.
 - Vacation: You are on vacation on election day.
 - Illness: I am sick.
 - Disability: I am permanently or temporarily disabled.
 - Incarcerated: I am incarcerated. (Not for a felony) 


OBTAINING AN ABSENTEE BALLOT

Online: Delaware affidavit for an absentee ballot application form

In person: To vote in person, contact the Department of Elections for your county to determine when absentee ballots will be available or the hours for voting absentee.

By mail: You may obtain and deliver an affidavit for an absentee ballot from your County Department of Elections

Military and oversees voting: Guidelines and procedures for Military and Overseas absentee voters. Or apply for a federal post card application.

Emergency Voting: Delaware does not offer emergency voting. Absentee ballot applications are available to turn in until four days before Election Day.

Other absentee ballot information: Absentee ballots must be reapplied for before each general election.

SUBMITTING AN ABSENTEE BALLOT 

Location and time: Mail your completed affidavit to the Department of Elections for the county in which you reside and are registered to vote at least 4 days before the election. Absentee voters must vote by absentee ballot and turn it into the Department of Elections by the day before the election at 12 noon. More specific absentee ballot instructions can be found online.


EARLY VOTING

Early voting qualifications: Delaware doesn't have traditional early voting but they do offer in-person absentee voting.  You can apply for and vote an in-person absentee ballot at your county Department of Elections as soon as absentee ballots are available up until noon on election day.  Normal absentee requirements still apply.


QUALIFICATIONS

Verifying Registration: Locating your polling place here also verifies your registration status

Deciding how to vote: http://www.votesmart.org/

Time off to vote: Time off to vote is subject to the employer. 
Delaware law does not require employers to grant time off to vote for employees.

Polling Place: Delaware polling place finder

ID Requirements:
Acceptable forms of identification are: 
 - a current, valid photo ID
 - copy of current utility bill 
 - bank statement  
 - government check
 - paycheck or other government document that shows your name and address.

How to Vote: Direct Recording Electronic (DRE)
http://elections.delaware.gov/services/voter/pdfs/how_to_vote.pdf
Special needs voting

Getting your vote counted: On the day after the election, the Department of Elections for each county meets to determine which Provisional Ballots are valid and to tally them. Within 30 days after the election, the information as to whether or not your provisional ballot was counted and, if not, the reason why, is entered into the free access system set up by the Commissioner of Elections.

Problems with voting: Delaware voting and administrative complaint procedures

Verifying provisional ballot status: Delaware provisional ballot status verification

Verifying absentee ballot status: Delaware absentee ballot status verification