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Delaware · How-To Guide

How do I register to vote or check my registration?

Delaware Department of Elections (state level - county offices in Wilmington, Dover, Georgetown)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Confirm eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen, Delaware resident, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and have completed confinement and parole if previously convicted of a felony (those on probation only - not confinement - may be eligible; verify with Department of Elections)
  2. Choose your registration method:
  3. ONLINE: iVote.de.gov - available 24/7; requires Delaware driver's license or state ID number
  4. BY MAIL: Download form from elections.delaware.gov; complete and mail to the Department of Elections office in your county - must be postmarked by the fourth Saturday before Election Day
  5. IN PERSON: Visit Department of Elections office in Wilmington (New Castle County), Dover (Kent County), or Georgetown (Sussex County) - deadline is the fourth Saturday before Election Day
  6. AUTOMATIC: Delaware offers Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) through the DMV - eligible residents are automatically registered when applying for/renewing a driver's license or state ID; confirmation notice sent; may opt out
  7. Submit registration by the fourth Saturday before Election Day (approximately 24 days before the election)
  8. Receive voter registration card confirming enrollment
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Delaware driver's license or state ID number (for online registration)
  • OR last 4 digits of Social Security number
  • Date of birth and current Delaware address
Fee
Free REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Fourth Saturday before Election Day (~24 days before) - this is a HARD deadline set by the Delaware Constitution; the legislature cannot extend it (court-confirmed 2022) NO SAME-DAY REGISTRATION: Delaware does NOT offer same-day voter registration EARLY VOTING: Yes - Delaware offers in-person early voting beginning 10 days before Election Day; no excuse required; contact your county Department of Elections for locations CHECK YOUR REGISTRATION: ivote.de.gov ONLINE OPTION: Yes - iVote.de.gov WHERE TO GO: Department of Elections offices: Wilmington (New Castle County), Dover (Kent County), Georgetown (Sussex County); DMV (automatic registration); many government agencies
Online Option
Yes - iVote.de.gov
Where to Go
Department of Elections offices: Wilmington (New Castle County), Dover (Kent County), Georgetown (Sussex County); DMV (automatic registration); many government agencies
Delaware Notes

Important state-specific details

  • Delaware's voter registration deadline (fourth Saturday, ~24 days before election) is set by the DELAWARE CONSTITUTION - the legislature attempted to extend it to Election Day but the State Supreme Court ruled this unconstitutional in 2022. No same-day registration is available.
  • AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION (AVR): Delaware automatically registers eligible residents through the DMV - confirmation sent; you may opt out.
  • EARLY VOTING: Delaware adopted in-person early voting beginning 10 days before Election Day; no excuse required - a significant change in recent years.
  • Absentee voting: available for qualifying reasons (illness, absence from state, disability, religious observance, public service, caregiver duties, military); mail ballot requests accepted online at iVote.de.gov.
  • Felony conviction: voting rights restored after completion of confinement and parole; those on probation only (not parole) may vote in some circumstances - contact Department of Elections to confirm eligibility.
  • Party affiliation: deadline to change party affiliation is earlier than the registration deadline - contact Department of Elections for current dates.
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
Delaware Department of Elections - elections.delaware.gov | iVote.de.gov | (302) 739-4277 (Dover); New Castle County: (302) 577-3510; Sussex County: (302) 856-5367