2026 Midterms State GuideDelaware
Hold on to your scrapple and your first-state bragging rights.
Polls are closed
Polls are closed in Delaware, and results aren’t finalized yet.
Ballots are still being counted, close races can take days to call, and no result is official until it’s certified.
A prayer for Delaware
Christ the Alpha and Omega, we turn to You as the First State approaches the midterms. Thank You for the opportunity to cast a vote for the good of our communities. Sharpen Delawareans’ attention, help them see the ballot clearly, and help them vote with humble conviction.
Read the whole prayerUpdated
Hi! It’s me, Shadrach. Apparently, I’m your civic guide today. If you’ve been complaining about how things are going (and I’ve heard you... the walls are thin), this guide will help you feel informed and able to vote in this year’s midterms. Now, hold on to your scrapple and your first-state bragging rights, and let’s get into it.
Delaware at a glance
Delaware votes on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, for U.S. Senate and its one U.S. House seat.
- Election Day
- Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026
- Voter registration
- Oct. 10 (11:59 p.m.): Voter registration deadline (no same-day registration after this!)
- Early voting
- Oct. 22 to Nov. 1: Early voting, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1; closed Sunday, Oct. 25)
- U.S. Senate
- 5 candidates
- U.S. House
- One seat
- Statewide ballot measures
- None
What happens next
The counting continues
Election-night numbers are unofficial. Mail, provisional, and military ballots are still being counted, so close races can take days to call.
Officials double-check the count
Local election officials review the ballots and the tallies (the canvass). A very close race can go to a recount.
Delaware certifies the results
Results become official once Delaware certifies them, usually a few weeks after Election Day.
Winners take office
The new Congress takes office in early January. Governors and other state officials take office on dates set by state law, most of them in January too.
Important dates
- Sep. 15Primaries (the last one before elections, because you know what they say about first being last). This date has passed.
- Oct. 10 (11:59 p.m.)Voter registration deadline (no same-day registration after this!) This date has passed.
- Oct. 22 to Nov. 1Early voting, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1; closed Sunday, Oct. 25) This date has passed.
- Oct. 30Absentee ballot request deadline (to be mailed; still available in person until 12 p.m. on Nov. 2) This date has passed.
- Nov. 3Election Day, polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; absentee ballots due by 8 p.m. This date has passed.
What’s at stake
Housing affordability is emerging as a defining concern for Delaware voters: a Delaware State Housing Authority/University of Delaware survey found 73% of residents believe their communities haven't invested enough in affordable housing, with majorities citing insufficient supply for people with low incomes (80%), people with moderate incomes (57%), smaller households (72%), and older adults seeking to downsize (56%). Democrats have held every congressional elected office in Delaware since 2010, so Republicans' chances of holding the chambers likely won’t be helped by the First State.
Who’s on your ballot
Tap a race to see the candidates.
- Get to know ’em
Michael KatzRepublican - Travis StevensWrite-in
- William McVayWrite-in
- John ShulliWrite-in
All U.S. House of Representatives seats are up for election every two years. Find your district here.
- Shadrach’s big picture
Delawareans will elect one candidate to represent them in the U.S. House. A Democrat is expected to hold that seat.
- Open seat
Nope
- Competitive districts
Delaware’s sole district isn’t considered competitive (solidly Democratic). Candidates in both parties have filed to run, but the seat hasn’t gone to a Republican since 2008.
Also on the ballot
Other races Delaware voters will decide.
- Other state executive
- State Senate
- State House
Whose job is it?
Ten things government does. Tap the office that does each one.
Whose job is it to…
1 of 10
Declare a state of emergency after a hurricane or flood?
Pass it on
Know someone voting in Delaware?
Send them the guide. It takes one tap, and it saves them an evening of arguing in a group chat.
A prayer for Delaware
Christ the Alpha and Omega, we turn to You as the First State approaches the midterms. Thank You for the opportunity to cast a vote for the good of our communities. Sharpen Delawareans’ attention, help them see the ballot clearly, and help them vote with humble conviction.
May candidates campaign with integrity. Surround those who win with wise counsel, and guide them toward decisions that serve their constituents. Bring comfort and give grace to those who lose.
Draw near to all in Delaware who are tempted toward anxiety, anger, or despair. Guard their hearts with a peace that this political moment cannot give. No candidate or ballot decision usurps Your sovereignty or thwarts Your good purposes.
Amen.