2026 Voting Guides

Delaware voting guide

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Here’s what you need to vote in Delaware.

Check Your Registration

Even if you voted last time, check that you’re still registered. Check your registration

Register by:
  • Online, by mail, or in person: Sat., Oct. 10

Key Dates

  • Last day to register to vote (4th Saturday before the election)
  • Early voting begins (7 a.m.–7 p.m.)
  • No early voting this Sunday
  • Early voting hours change to 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
  • Last day of early voting
  • Absentee ballot request deadline (12 noon)
  • Election Day (7 a.m.–8 p.m.); absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m.
  • Board of Canvass (Superior Court in each county) meets to certify results

Your Voting Checklist

  • Vote early in person from Thurs., Oct. 22 to Sun., Nov. 1.
  • Vote by mail. You can vote by mail if you are:
    • Working or caring for a sick family member
    • Sick or disabled
    • On vacation
    • Religious beliefs
    • Working in public service
    • In the military or living overseas

    Request a ballot by Mon., Nov. 2. Request a mail ballot
    Return it by Tues., Nov. 3.
  • Vote on Election Day, Tues., Nov. 3, 7 a.m.–8 p.m. Find your polling place
  • Bring the right ID. You don't need a photo ID to vote. Poll workers will ask for an ID or a paper with your name and address. No ID? If you are on the voter list, you can sign a form and vote. See the official ID rules
  • Review your sample ballot before you go.
  • Have a past conviction?
    • Most people can vote again once they finish their full sentence, including parole and probation.
    • You need to register again.
    • People convicted of murder, some sex crimes, or bribery can't vote unless pardoned.
  • Make a plan and bring three people. Make a plan

What’s on Your Ballot

These are the biggest races in Delaware this year. Please note, we do not endorse any candidates.

U.S. Senate

  • Chris Coons Democratic, incumbent · Campaign site
  • U.S. senator since 2010; former New Castle County executive.
  • Michael Katz Republican · Campaign site
  • Physician (pediatric critical care anesthesiologist) and business owner; Democratic state senator 2009–2013; Independent Party Senate nominee in 2024.

Stance on key issues

Voting rights & elections

Chris Coons Democratic, incumbent

No public position found.

Michael Katz Republican

Supports the SAVE Act, which would require documents proving citizenship to register to vote. Supports national photo ID rules for voting, limits on mail voting, and checking voter rolls against federal databases. Source

Policing, prisons & public safety

Chris Coons Democratic, incumbent

Backed the 2018 First Step Act on federal sentencing and re-entry. Co-chairs the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus and led the Recruit and Retain Act to fund police hiring. Supports stricter gun laws, including background-check alerts. Source

Michael Katz Republican

Says he will 'back the blue.' Supports more police funding, much higher federal penalties for violent crime, and cutting federal grants to places and prosecutors he says do not enforce the law. Opposes red-flag gun laws. Source

Immigration

Chris Coons Democratic, incumbent

Supports comprehensive immigration reform and 'enforcing the laws on the books.' Introduced a bill to create an oversight body for ICE and to keep ICE officers out of places like schools and hospitals. Source

Michael Katz Republican

Supports finishing the border wall, bringing back 'Remain in Mexico' so asylum claims are decided outside the U.S., withholding federal money from sanctuary cities, required workplace citizenship checks, and faster deportation when claims are denied. Source

Abortion & health care

Chris Coons Democratic, incumbent

Says he has fought to protect the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid, and criticizes Medicaid cuts in the 2025 federal budget law. Says he is a 'fierce defender' of access to reproductive health care. Source

Michael Katz Republican

Wants to lower drug prices while protecting new treatments, fund rural health care in Kent and Sussex, lower premiums, and focus more on prevention and mental health in primary care. Source

Economy, taxes & cost of living

Chris Coons Democratic, incumbent

Opposes President Trump's tariffs, which he calls unlawful and says raise everyday costs. Has criticized the 2025 federal budget law's cuts. Source

Michael Katz Republican

Says federal spending drives inflation. Will 'stand firmly with President Trump' to cut spending, opposes tax increases on working families, and supports permanent pro-growth tax cuts and less regulation. Source

Workers & wages

Chris Coons Democratic, incumbent

Co-sponsored the PRO Act (2023), which would make it easier for workers to form unions. In 2021 voted no on a procedural motion to add a $15 federal minimum wage to the COVID relief bill. Source

Michael Katz Republican

No public position found.

Housing

Chris Coons Democratic, incumbent

Says he is working to reform rental assistance, expand homebuyer incentives and simplify federal housing programs. Has secured federal money for affordable housing in Delaware. Says tariffs raise building costs. Source

Michael Katz Republican

Wants to remove federal barriers that raise building costs, create tax and lending help for first-time homebuyers, and add affordable homes through zoning partnerships and construction incentives. Source

Schools

Chris Coons Democratic, incumbent

Supports federal investment in education and job training, more apprenticeships, and paths to good jobs without a college degree. Source

Michael Katz Republican

Supports more early childhood programs, closing achievement gaps, and linking schools to jobs in skilled trades, health care and tech, using federal Title I and apprenticeship money. Source

Civil rights, DEI & LGBTQ+ rights

Chris Coons Democratic, incumbent

Supports the Paycheck Fairness Act to close the gender pay gap. Says diversity makes schools, companies and the country stronger. Source

Michael Katz Republican

Supports laws keeping women's sports for 'biological females' under Title IX, while saying every person deserves dignity and respect. Source

Climate & environmental justice

Chris Coons Democratic, incumbent

Calls climate change a major threat to low-lying Delaware. Supports clean energy such as solar, wind and hydrogen, and helped win a $750 million regional clean hydrogen hub. Supports LIHEAP energy aid. Source

Michael Katz Republican

Supports 'American energy dominance' and a mixed energy plan that includes nuclear power. Backs faster permits for advanced nuclear projects and locally produced clean energy in Delaware. Source

Books, press & public media

Chris Coons Democratic, incumbent

No public position found.

Michael Katz Republican

Says the federal government should stay out of 'policing American speech' and stop labeling dissent as 'misinformation.' Source

Protect the Vote

  • Apply to be a poll worker and support free and fair elections.
  • Watch the count. Take a training to learn how to observe the polls.
  • If anyone tries to stop you from voting or something at your polling place seems wrong:
    • Call 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)
    • Call 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682) (Spanish)
    • Call 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683) (Asian languages)
    • Call 844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287) (Arabic)
    • If you’re in line when polls close, stay in line. You can still vote.
    • If your name isn’t on the list, ask for a provisional ballot.
    • Know your rights

Organizations to Support

Anti-Racism Daily will never tell you who to vote for and does not endorse candidates. Information here has been pulled from the internet and may be inaccurate. Please fact-check your sources. If you spot a mistake, please let us know so we can fix it.

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