Voter guide to Delaware’s 2026 primary

Delaware voters preparing for the 2026 primary should begin by checking their registration and identifying every deadline that applies to them. They should also review the contests on their own ballot and confirm when, where and how they can vote.

Key dates to check

Start with the date of the primary and work backward. Important dates may include a registration deadline, a deadline for changing registration information and deadlines connected to any voting method offered for the election.

Write down each applicable date rather than relying on memory. A deadline may refer to the day a request must be received, not merely the day it is sent. Follow the exact wording in Delaware’s official election instructions.

Check the information again as the primary approaches. That final review should cover the date, voting hours, voting location and any instructions for returning election documents. If you plan to vote before primary day or away from a polling place, verify that the method is available to you and complete every required step on time.

What is on the ballot

A primary is an election held before the general election. The specific contests and candidate names a voter sees depend on the ballot issued to that voter.

Review a sample ballot or other official ballot information before voting. Read the name of each office, the candidates listed for that office and any instructions about how many selections may be made. Do not assume that another voter’s ballot will be identical to yours.

This statewide guide is not tied to one race, and it does not list candidates. Voters should use their own ballot information when deciding which contests require their attention.

Registration checklist

Registration is the record that allows an eligible voter to participate in an election. Before the deadline, confirm that the name and address on your registration are current. A voter who has moved or changed a name should check whether an update is required.

Also confirm whether any registration rule affects which primary ballot you may receive. Do not assume that participation rules are the same as those for a general election.

Keep a record of any registration form, update or request you submit. If confirmation is offered, check it before voting begins. Finding and correcting a problem early can be easier than addressing it on primary day.

Make a voting plan

Choose a voting method only after confirming that it is authorized and available for Delaware’s 2026 primary. Follow the instructions for that method, including any request, identification, signature, delivery or return requirements that apply.

For in-person voting, confirm the correct location and hours before leaving. Plan transportation and allow enough time to complete the process. Bring any document required under the official instructions.

For any method involving a ballot completed away from a polling place, read the full set of directions before marking or returning it. Pay close attention to where the ballot must go and when it must arrive.

Finally, review the ballot for missed contests and follow the instructions for correcting a selection. A simple written plan — registration checked, deadlines recorded, ballot reviewed and voting method confirmed — can help prevent avoidable problems.