Delaware Election Day 2026 is Tuesday, November 3, and polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The day before the election, DETV contributor Ashley Rice spoke with Dr. Jason Bourke, an assistant professor of political science at Delaware State University, on Good Morning Delaware about what is on the ballot and why it matters.
His takeaway for Delaware Election Day 2026: national races matter, but local decisions often shape daily life the most.
Delaware Election Day 2026 at a Glance
| Election date | Tuesday, November 3, 2026 |
| Poll hours | 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| Federal races | U.S. Senate and U.S. House |
| Statewide races | Attorney General, State Treasurer and Auditor of Accounts |
| State legislature | All 41 state House seats and 11 of 21 state Senate seats |
| Local races | Vary by where you live |
| Find your polling place | ivote.de.gov |
| Official information | Delaware Department of Elections |
In This Article
Which Races Should Delaware Voters Watch?
Bourke said the U.S. Senate and U.S. House races are always worth following. He also encouraged voters to pay close attention to state and local contests further down the ballot.
All 41 state House seats and 11 seats in the state Senate are up for election on Delaware Election Day 2026. Some of those are not really races. Bourke said 15 House candidates and three Senate candidates are running unopposed.
Even so, he said state policymaking can reach a long list of areas, including the tax code, the corporate code, economic development and state infrastructure maintenance.
What the 2026 Midterm Means for Congress
The president is not on the ballot this year, but Bourke said the election is “shaping up to be something of a referendum on him and his administration.”
Republicans currently control both the U.S. House and Senate, and Bourke said the president has not faced much serious pushback from Congress. He then walked through three possible outcomes.
If Republicans keep both chambers, Bourke said that would largely clear the way for the president’s agenda and would likely leave him emboldened. If Democrats flip one chamber, he said the president would face more barriers. If they flip both, he said the effect would be “much more potent.”
Why Local Races Affect Your Daily Life
Bourke pointed voters to their county council, city council and town council races, depending on where they live. He said those are the races that decide who has the most day-to-day impact on your life.
“There’s a saying that all politics is local.”
Dr. Jason Bourke, Delaware State University
He said local government is also the level residents tend to interact with most, because its decisions affect how people move through their everyday lives.
5 Issues Motivating Delaware Voters
Rice asked what is driving Delawareans to the polls for Delaware Election Day 2026. Bourke said the easy answer starts with financial health, but the list goes well beyond it.
1. Financial Health
Bourke pointed to fuel and energy prices, inflation, interest rates and housing costs.
2. Artificial Intelligence
He said many people are concerned, “rightly or wrongly,” about whether AI could threaten their well-being, replace workers or harm the environment.
3. Wars Abroad
Bourke also noted concerns about wars in the Middle East and Europe.
4. Taxes and Schools
Closer to home, he said people are concerned about state and local taxes, the quality of schools and the quality of the built environment.
5. County Concerns in New Castle and Sussex
Bourke said there is a lot of concern about property tax reassessments in New Castle County. In Sussex County, he said the concern centers on the future of housing development and what it means for people who live there.
What Is at Stake on Delaware Election Day 2026
Asked what voters should understand before casting a ballot, Bourke said it depends on where you live and what matters to you and your community.
“Local policymaking may not always be flashy or exciting, but it is where most of the policies that we live with are going to be made.”
Dr. Jason Bourke, Delaware State University
He gave several examples: whether and where to place law enforcement cameras, whether and where housing developments and data centers can be built, farmland preservation and the local ordinances residents follow.
Bourke added that voting is only one part of having a say. “It’s not enough to just go vote,” he said, urging residents to stay in regular contact with their elected officials so they know what voters want.
How to Vote on Delaware Election Day 2026
Here is what the Delaware Department of Elections tells voters to know before they go.
- Poll hours: Polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Polling place: Use the Voter Portal at ivote.de.gov, check the state’s list of voting locations or call the Department of Elections.
- ID: You will be asked to show one form of ID, such as a Delaware driver’s license, state ID, current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document showing your name and address.
- No ID: Election officers will verify your registration. You can then vote after completing an Affidavit of Affirmation of Voter Identity.
- Absentee ballots: They must be received by the Department of Elections by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Delaware Election Day 2026 FAQ
When are polls open on Delaware Election Day 2026?
Polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
What is on the ballot in Delaware in 2026?
Voters will decide U.S. Senate and U.S. House races, along with Attorney General, State Treasurer and Auditor of Accounts. All 41 state House seats and 11 of 21 state Senate seats are also up. Local races vary by community.
How do I find my polling place in Delaware?
Use the Voter Portal at ivote.de.gov, check the state list of voting locations or call the Delaware Department of Elections.
Do I need an ID to vote in Delaware?
You will be asked to show one form of ID. If you do not have one, election officers will verify your registration and you can vote after completing an Affidavit of Affirmation of Voter Identity.
More Delaware Election Day 2026 Coverage From DETV
Keep following the election with Latino Voters in Delaware: Powerful Voices in the 2026 Election and the November 2 Good Morning Delaware Live. Subscribe to DETV for Delaware news, community conversations and local coverage.
