How to vote in Delaware’s Nov. 8 general election

There are three ways to vote in Delaware’s Nov. 8 general election: absentee, early, or in person on election day.

Earlier this month, the Delaware Supreme Court ruled no-excuse mail-in voting unconstitutional. The decision has left many voters unsure of the rules.

RELATED: Who’s running in Delaware’s Nov. 8 general election?

General election

The general election will be held Nov. 8 from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. 

For a list of candidates, click here.

As always, you may vote in person at your designated polling location. Unsure of your polling location? Click here.

Voter registration

In its ruling on mail-in voting, the Supreme Court also ruled against same-day voter registration. That means you won’t be able to register to vote at your polling place on election day.

Unfortunately, the registration deadline to vote in the Nov. 8 general election has passed.

For future elections, you can register online by visiting this link and filling out the form. Your application will be processed and, if approved, a voter registration card will be sent to your address along with information about your polling place.

You can also register at any of these state agencies while accessing their services:

• Division of Motor Vehicles (driver license and state ID services)
• Department of Health & Social Services
• Department of Labor

Unsure of your registration status? Click here.

RELATED: Voter information center

Absentee voting

While Delaware voters will not be allowed to vote by mail as they did in 2020, many will meet the qualifications to vote absentee. Those ballots must be requested, then returned through the U.S. Postal Service or in a ballot drop box.

You may vote by absentee ballot in Delaware if:

• You are in public service of the United States or the state of Delaware, including a member of the Uniformed Services or U.S. military.
• You are providing care to a parent, spouse, or child who requires constant care because of the nature of your business or occupation.
• You are a student.
• You are otherwise eligible to vote but are incarcerated.
• You are sick or temporarily or physically disabled.
• You are absent from the district while on vacation.
• You are unable to vote at a certain time or date due to your religion.

To request your absentee ballot, visit ivote.de.gov and fill out the “Registration Lookup & Absentee Ballot Request” form on the home page.

Absentee ballots must be requested by Friday, Nov. 4. Voters are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

The Department of Elections recommends voters complete and return their absentee ballots as soon as possible after receiving them. Voters must be mindful to allow time for mailing if they choose to mail their ballots back to the Department.  

Voters may also choose to hand-deliver their ballots to their county elections offices, listed here. 

Completed absentee ballots must be delivered to their county elections office by 8 p.m. on election day. Ballots delivered after that time will not be counted. Absentee ballots cannot be returned to early voting sites or polling places.

RELATED: Personalized voting information

Early voting

If you are unable to vote on election day, you may vote early, in person, at the following locations. You may go to any early voting location in the county in which you reside. 

Hours of operation are listed below the early voting sites.

• Kent County
  • Frederica Senior Center: 216 Market St, Frederica, DE 19946
  • Houston Fire Company: 143 Broad St, Houston DE 19954
  • Department of Elections: 100 Enterprise Place Suite 5, Dover DE 19904
  • Crossroad Christian Church: 4867 N. Dupont Hwy, Dover DE 19901

• New Castle County
  • Gunning Bedford Middle School: 801 Cox Neck Rd, New Castle DE 19720
  • Claymont Community Center: 3301 Green St, Claymont DE 19703
  • Department of Elections: 220 Lisa Dr, New Castle DE 19720
  • Hudson State Service Center: 501 Ogletown Rd, Newark DE 19711
  • Shipyard Shops: 912 Justison St, Wilmington DE 19801

• Sussex County
  • Millville Community Center: 32517 Dukes Drive, Millville DE 19967
  • Lewes Fire Department Station #2: 32198 Janice Rd, Lewes DE 19958
  • Laurel Fire Hall: 205 W. 10th St, Laurel DE 19956
  • Department of Elections Georgetown warehouse: 542 South Bedford St, Georgetown DE 19947
  • Department of Elections Seaford warehouse: 200 Allen St, Seaford DE 19973

General election early voting hours of operation:

• Friday, Oct. 28: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 29: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 30: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Monday, Oct. 31: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 1: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Wednesday, Nov. 2: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 3: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Friday, Nov. 4: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 5: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 6: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

In-person election day voting

The general election will take place Nov. 8 from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.

If you want to do it the old-fashioned way, you may vote in person at your designated polling location. Unsure of your polling location? Click here.

For a list of candidates, click here.

To see where your candidates stand on the issues, click here.

Didn’t find the answer to your question in this story? Click here.

Charles Megginson

Charlie Megginson covers government and politics for Town Square LIVE News. Reach him at (302) 344-8293 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @cmegginson4.