Pre-18 voter registration in Delaware
In Delaware 13,380 people turn 18 every year.
Delawareans can pre-register before turning 18.
pre-register before turning To register to vote in Delaware, you must be: 16 years old.
That means all eligible seniors, juniors and most sophomores in your high school can register to vote today and vote at 18*.
*In Delaware, 17-year-olds can vote in primaries if they will be 18 by Nov 3rd, 2026.
High school students can help one another get ready to vote.
Next Steps!
How to Register to Vote in Delaware
Upcoming Statewide or Federal Elections:
- Sep 15th, 2026 - Delaware Primary Election (Register by Aug 22nd, 2026)
- Nov 3rd, 2026 - Delaware General Election (Register by Oct 10th, 2026)
Useful Links:
- Registration Form - Download the paper registration form for Delaware.
- Registration Status - Check if you are already registered, your polling place, and more from your state’s voter registration website.
- Fair Elections Center - Learn about conducting a registration drive in Delaware.
- Vote 411 - A nonpartisan resource to help you register, preview your ballot, and find key election information from the League of Women Voters.
- VoteRiders - Find out what forms of ID you can use to register and vote, and get help getting a valid form of ID.
Full Registration Details
By Mail: ID Requirements
To submit a voter registration application by mail in Delaware, you must provide your valid Delaware driver's license number OR state ID number, if you have one. If you do not have either of these ID numbers, you must instead provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.
If you have not been issued any of these ID numbers, indicate this on the form. Delaware will assign you a unique identification number.
By Mail: Eligibility Requirements
You may register to vote in Delaware if you:
are a United States citizen
are a Delaware resident (Delaware is your home)
will be 18 years old on or before the date of the next general election
have NOT been adjudged mentally incompetent (adjudged mentally incompetent refers to a specific finding in a judicial guardianship or equivalent proceeding, based on clear and convincing evidence that the individual has a severe cognitive impairment which precludes exercise of basic voting judgment)
have NOT been convicted of a felony, unless you have completed your sentence
have NOT been convicted of a disqualifying felony, or you have been convicted of a disqualifying felony and you have been pardoned
List of disqualifying felonies include: murder or manslaughter (except vehicular homicide); any felony constituting an offense against public administration involving bribery or improper influence or abuse of office, or any like offense under the laws of any state or local jurisdiction, or of the United States, or of the District of Columbia; or any felony constituting a sexual offense, or any like offense under the laws of any state or local jurisdiction or of the United States or of the District of Columbia
By Mail: New Voter Instructions
If you are registering to vote for the first time in your county and submit your registration application by mail, federal law requires you to provide a COPY of proof of identification with your application OR show acceptable documentation when you vote. Acceptable forms of identification include a current and valid photo ID OR a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address. More information about these requirements is available on the National Voter Registration Form.
Online Instructions
To register online in Delaware, you must be at least 18 years old on or before the next general election. You must provide ONE of the following when registering online: Delaware driver's license number, Delaware State ID number, or the last four digits of your Social Security number.
More information here.
Delaware High School Educators!!!
Support your students’ voter registration effort with our free toolkit.
About this information
This page presents a curated compilation of voting and election information, specifically geared toward high school students, their families, and educators.
Information about deadlines and voting laws is retrieved via the Democracy Works Elections API and was last retrieved on Jul 6th, 2026; the API compiles election guidance from official government sources and other vetted data providers, and details may change over time. Information concerning requirements for high schools is based on The Civics Center’s analysis of State Requirements for High School Voter Registration and was last updated on Jun 22nd, 2026.
Information about youth turning 18 each year is from the U.S. Census, and information on the number of 18-year-olds who have not yet registered is based on applying TCC’s analysis of Census data and state voter files. We also provide links to trusted resources, including VoteRiders (for voter ID information) and Fair Elections Center (for information about laws governing voter registration drives).
These pages are offered for guidance only and are not intended as legal advice. Please consult state election officials or an attorney if you have questions about any particular situation. We hope you find this useful. To cite our resources and original research, please provide links and/or cite The Civics Center.
© 2026 The Civics Center
