Pre-18 voter registration in

DelawareBallot Box

In Delaware 12,876Head explodingpeople turn 18 every year.

Delawareans can Siren pre-register before turning 18. Siren

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 3, 2026.

High school students can help one another get ready to vote. Mortarboard

How to Register to Vote in Delaware

Upcoming 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

When submitting your application by mail in Delaware, you are required to provide your Delaware driver’s license number or Delaware State ID number. If you do not have a Delaware-issued ID, you are required to provide the last four digits of your Social Security 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 Delaware and are mailing a registration application, you must submit proof of identification with your application. If you do not provide required identification documentation, you must provide it the first time you vote in a federal election. Proof of identification includes: copy of a current and valid photo identification; copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck; or other government document that shows your name and address

More information here.

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.

Preview of The Civics Center teacher toolkit: sample guides, calendar, checklist, and registration materials

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 Mar 30th, 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 Mar 27th, 2026.

See More

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

ADD YOUR NAME
Megaphone

Signing Up Shows Your Support

By adding your name, you’re not just staying informed — you’re helping us show funders and partners the growing movement to improve youth voter engagement!

Stay connected with updates, results from our campaigns, and the latest insights on youth voter engagement.