8 things to know if you plan to vote early in Delaware

For weeks, Americans have been casting their in-person ballots early in different states — and now it’s Delaware’s turn.

Early voting in Delaware started on Friday and will continue through Nov. 3 ahead of the Nov. 5 Election Day. In addition to a heated presidential election, we in Delaware will be voting for a new governor, a new US House rep and our sole US Senator, as well as various state and local positions.

Find out everything you need to know about the process, below the map of where to find the nearest polling place:

What is early voting?

Early voting is a designated time before Election Day when registered voters can submit their ballots in person, just like regular voting.

Different states have different rules for voting before Election Day. 

In Delaware, registered voters do not have to have an excuse or request an absentee ballot to vote early, they can simply go to any early voting location in their county of residence.

Why is there early voting?

Early voting allows voters the flexibility to easily vote before Election Day, so people who may be out of town or otherwise unable to get to the polls on Nov. 5 can still vote. 

Early voting also may mean less waiting in line and can make lines on Election Day itself shorter. 

Is early voting secure?

Early voting polling places are exactly like Election Day polling places in Delaware, with the same voting machines and level of security.

How are absentee ballots different than early voting?

Absentee votes are delivered by mail or via dropbox. To vote absentee in Delaware, unlike early voting, you have to give a reason why you can't vote in person at your home polling place, such as military service, college, living overseas as a US citizen or disability. 

If you have an emergency, such as being hospitalized unexpectedly on Election Day, you have the right to request an emergency absentee ballot, which may be delivered electronically. All absentee ballots must be delivered by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day when polls close in Delaware.

Can I vote early at my regular polling place?

Polling places aren't assigned for early voting in Delaware. Your regular polling place likely won’t be open for early voting, but you can go to any designated early voting location, as long as it's in the county where you live. 

Where can I go to vote early in Delaware?

There are 19 early voting locations in Delaware, six in New Castle County, four in Kent County and nine in Sussex County. Residents can vote at any early voting location in their county of residence. Scroll up to our map to find the nearest one.

For a detailed list of early voting locations, as well as 2024 Election Day polling places, go to Delaware’s voting locations page.

When is early voting?

In Delaware, early voting begins on Oct. 25 and ends on Nov. 3. 

Through Oct. 29, voting locations will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and they will expand their hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. starting on Oct. 30.

What do I need to bring to vote early?

You will be asked to show ID for proof of residency when you early vote in Delaware. That can be a driver's license or state ID, a passport, social security card, polling place card or vehicle registration. 

If you don't have a form of ID, you can still vote by signing an affidavit of affirmation that you are the person listed as registered to vote in the pollbook.

Should I vote early?

Some people like the peace of mind of getting it done early, and some prefer to vote when the energy of Election Day is at its height. 

For many Delawareans, their assigned Election Day polling place will be closer and more convenient than one of the 19 early voting places statewide.