Voting in Delaware is easier than ever

Democrat? Republican? Something else? Whatever your party affiliation, the importance of making your voice heard when there’s an election has never been more apparent. And for Delawareans, it’s never been as easy to vote as it will be in 2022.

Three laws that take effect this year remove barriers that have interfered with voting for some citizens in the past, and create a huge step forward for increased access to the ballot for all.

Early in-person voting is available for any primary or general election, or any special election held to fill a vacancy. In Sussex County, early voting for the September primary election will be available at the Millville Community Center, Lewes Fire Department Station 2, Laurel fire hall, and the Department of Elections warehouses in Georgetown and Seaford. For this election, early voting will be available starting Wednesday, Aug. 31. There are also early voting locations in New Castle and Kent counties. Early voting places will be open for eight hours during the first five days and 12 hours during the second five days of the early voting period. No matter where your usual polling place is, you’ll be able to vote at any of these locations. If voting on Election Day has created a barrier to voting for you in the past, early voting may be a good solution.

Same-day voter registration. In the past, failing to register by the fourth Saturday prior to the date of the election would prevent someone from being able to vote. Now, the registration deadline is the day of the election. You can register by mail or at the polling place. Just be sure to bring along a valid government-issued photo ID or a current (issued in the past 60 days) document such as a utility bill or paycheck that displays your name and address. It’s simple and painless.

Vote by mail. During the 2020 election, the state used mail voting to accommodate people concerned about in-person voting due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As of July 2022, voting by mail is now available for all voters in general, non-presidential primary and special elections.

Here’s how it works: You need to complete an application form for a vote-by-mail ballot. You can do this by printing and mailing the PDF vote-by-mail application, or request a vote-by-mail ballot through the Delaware Department of Elections website. The Department of Elections in your county (in Sussex that’s the DOE office in Georgetown) has to receive your application not later than seven days before the day of the election. 

Between 30 and seven days before the election, the department will mail a ballot, instructions and a postage-paid return envelope to each voter whose application is approved. You can mail your ballot, or deliver it to the appropriate Elections Department office for your county. Depending on how far in advance of the election you have completed your ballot, you may have different options for delivering directly to the Department of Elections. Mail ballots are processed on Election Day, so you need to make sure it’s received by the time polls close at 8 p.m.

There’s no need to worry about the security of voting by mail. There are protections built into the process from start to finish. Voting by mail has been a reliable, high-integrity feature of our election law for specific populations who are spelled out in the Delaware Constitution for many years. The only thing that’s new is that it’s now available to everyone. Indeed, Delaware is now one of 35 states in which any qualified voter may use a mail ballot.

There’s really no reason not to vote. Vote early. Register to vote as late as Election Day. Vote by mail. Be a responsible citizen. It’s never been easier.