Independents gain traction among registered voters as early voting approaches

Early voting locations have been announced as the deadline to register to vote has passed. (Photo by shironosov/iStock Getty Images)

The two early-voting periods for Delaware in the 2024 General Election on Nov. 5 are quickly approaching, and the polling sites have been announced.

Delaware launched an early-voting option in 2022, and more than 14,000 people voted early in last month’s primary elections, according to the Delaware Department of Elections.

Along with shorter lines, the option allows voters to not have to scramble before or after their work day on Election Day. 

Oct. 1 Changes in Party Registration

There are 786,577 registered voters in the First State – 206,770 Republicans and 353,212 Democrats. 184,540 are registered as Independents. 

Over the past year, the gap between registered Democrats and Republicans has grown slightly. 

In 2023, there were 765,080 registered voters – 207,488 Republicans, 355,700 Democrats and 172,163 Independents.

In the home stretch of voter registration from Sept. 1-Oct. 1, Delaware had 4,118 new registrants. The Department of Elections could not break that down by party.

Department data shows that during September, Republicans gained 1,081 registrants, Democrats gained 1,758, but Independents gained 14,345.

Delaware Party Affiliation by County as of Oct. 1

The two windows to vote early this year are from Friday, Oct. 25 to Tuesday, Oct. 29, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and from Wednesday, Oct. 30 to Sunday, Nov. 3, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Here are the polling locations:

New Castle County

• Appoquinimink State Service Center: 122 Silver Lake Road in Middletown 
• Christina Crossing: 501 South Walnut Street, Suite 13 in Wilmington
• Claymont Community Center: 3301 Green Street in Claymont
• Department of Elections Warehouse, New Castle: 220 Lisa Drive in New Castle
• Hudson State Service Center: 501 Ogletown Road in Newark
• Police Athletic League (PAL): 3707 North Market Street in Wilmington

Kent County

• BPOE #1903 Elks Lodge: 200 South Saulsbury Road in Dover
• Crossroad Christian Church: 4867 North Dupont Highway in Dover
• Frederica Senior Center: 216 Market Street in Frederica
• Harrington Parks & Recreation: 114 East Liberty Street in Harrington

Sussex County

• American Legion Post 28 – Millsboro: 31768 Legion Road in Millsboro
• Department of Elections Warehouse, Georgetown: 542 South Bedford Street in Georgetown
• Department of Elections Warehouse, Seaford: 200 Allen Street in Seaford
• Ellendale Fire Hall: 302 Main Street in Ellendale
• Laurel Fire Hall: 205 West 10th Street in Laurel
• Margaret H. Rollins Community Center: 101 Adams Avenue in Lewes
• Midway Early Voting Site: 18585 Coastal Highway in Rehoboth Beach
• Millville Community Center: 32517 Dukes Drive in Millville
• Roxana Fire Hall: 35943 Zion Church Road in Frankford

There’s also absentee voting for those unable to appear at their assigned polling place on Election Day for a reason permitted by state law. 

Apply for an absentee ballot here, complete and submit an absentee ballot application available here, or call the county elections office for an absentee ballot application to be mailed.

The Department of Elections says the last day it will mail absentee ballots is Friday, Nov. 1, and the absentee ballot must be returned to the county Department of Elections office by 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Eligibility requirements include a completed voter registration (deadline was Oct. 12), U.S. citizenship, Delaware residency confirmed with some form of identification, and turning 18 years old on or before Nov. 5.

Jarek Rutz

Raised in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Jarek earned a B.A. in journalism and a B.A. in political science from Temple University in 2021. After running CNN’s Michael Smerconish’s YouTube channel, Jarek became a reporter for the Bucks County Herald before joining Delaware LIVE News.