When is the deadline to register to vote in Delaware? Your guide to 2024 elections

Editor's note: This story has been updated following the Feb. 23 ruling by the Superior Court in Delaware that struck down early voting and permanent absentee voting.

With the state and presidential primary elections coming soon, registering to vote should be on every Delaware resident's to-do list.

Those who win the primary will be able to have their name on the ballot in November during the general election. The election calendar for 2024 can be viewed online.

We rounded up the information you need to know to ensure you're eligible to vote, are aware of when voter registration dates are for the state, and how you can register.

When are elections in Delaware?

In Delaware, the presidential primary election date is slated for April 2, 2024, and the state's primary election will be held on Sept. 10, 2024, with early voting opportunities before then for qualified residents.

On May 14, school board elections will also take place, and polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Then, the general election will take place on Nov. 5, with early voting opportunities available for those who qualify.

Voter qualifications in Delaware

To register to vote in Delaware, here are the qualifications, according to the state's website:

• You must be a citizen of the United States.

• You must be a resident of Delaware.

• You must be 18 years old by the date of the next General Election.

• You have not been determined mentally incompetent, which refers to a specific finding in a judicial guardianship or equivocal proceeding where evidence shows severe cognitive impairment, making you unable to exercise basic voting judgment.

Voting is also still possible for those convicted of a felony who have completed their sentence and were not convicted on a disqualifying felony defined in the Delaware Constitution.

How to register to vote in Delaware

A multitude of options are given to those who want to register to vote in the state. To register to vote by applying with the Department of Elections, here are some choices:

• By mail, phone or in person (click here for contact numbers for the Department of Elections across the state). The link to vote by mail is here.

• Register online at ivote.de.gov.

• Apply at certain state agencies while using their resources, including the Division of Motor Vehicles for driver's licenses and state ID services, the Department of Health and Social Services and the Department of Labor.

Registration lookup for the state can be done at ivote.de.gov, too.

When is the voter registration deadline in Delaware?

The deadline to register to vote in the presidential primary on April 2 is March 9 at 11:59 p.m.

The deadlines for voter registration in the state are as follows, according to vote.gov:

• Online: 24 days before Election Day

• Mail: postmarked 24 days before Election Day

• In-person: 24 days before Election Day

How to vote in Delaware:

Here are the options for voting during election season in Delaware.

Absentee ballot (must qualify)

Absentee ballots can be applied for by mail, email, fax or online.

MORE ON DELAWARE VOTING: Delaware attorney general to appeal recent ruling striking down early voting

At the polls

The polling addresses for voting can be found on your polling place card, online and by also looking at the Department of Elections list of locations to find the contact number for your county. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for general, special and primary elections.

When going, a photo ID is not required. However, proof of identity is, and some forms of acceptable IDs include a driver's license, identification card, U.S. passport, signed polling place card, signed Social Security card, signed vehicle registration or a signed credit card with photo.

If residents are unable to show proof of identity, an affidavit of voter identity can be completed, permitting those to vote.

Early voting

Early voting is available in Delaware for a period of 10 days prior before the presidential primary. A recent court ruling striking down early voting and permanent absentee voter registration pertains only to the state’s general elections. The schedule for early voting can be found here.

Proof of identity is required, which can include a valid photo ID, a copy of a utility bill, bank statement, or a government check, paycheck, or other government document that displays your address.

Voting hours for early voting sites are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the first five days, and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the last five days.

Provisional ballot

Provisional ballots can be used when a voter is trying to vote in an election area in which the voter claims to be properly registered, but the voter's name is not on the poll list. These kinds of ballots can only be used for elections in federal offices. Proof of identification is required, as well as signing an affidavit to confirm that the person is registered to vote in that election district in that federal election.

The four options, simply, are in-person (early and on Election Day), or mailing in or dropping off a ballot.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: When is the deadline to register to vote in Delaware?