By Joseph Edelen

DOVER — Ahead of Delaware’s Sept. 10 primary election, the state Department of Elections is reminding prospective voters they must be registered on or before Aug. 17 to cast their ballot.

The official primary registration deadline is Aug. 17 at 11:59 p.m. and only registered Democrats and Republicans can participate in their party’s primary election.

The final day Delaware voters could change their party affiliation was May 24.

Delaware residents can register to vote if they are a U.S. citizen and 18 years old on or before the Nov. 5 general election.

There are several competitive primary races for statewide offices this year. The Democratic field of potential nominees to succeed term-limited Gov. John Carney includes Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long, New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer and former Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control secretary Collin O’Mara.

On the Republican side in the gubernatorial race, House Minority Leader Mike Ramone of Newark and political newcomers Bobby Williamson of Bridgeville and Jerrold Price of Lewes are seeking their party’s nomination.

The race to succeed the term-limited lieutenant governor features three Democrats – state Sen. Kyle Evans Gay, state Rep. Sherry Dorsey Walker and retired U.S. Army Col. Debbie Harrington – and one Republican, former state Rep. Ruth Briggs King.

For U.S. Congress, there are two races for Delaware’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives and to succeed retiring Thomas R. Carper in the U.S. Senate.

The U.S. House race has two competitive primaries. The Democratic field includes state Sen. Sarah McBride, finance professional Elias Weir and small businessman Earl Cooper, while the Republican field features Air Force veteran Donyale Hall and political newcomer John Whalen.

The U.S. Senate seat only has one competitive primary election ahead of the Nov. 5 general election, as businessmen Eric Hansen and Bill Taylor vie seek the Republican nomination. Current U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester is the lone Democrat in the race.

Ahead of the Sept. 10 primary election, voter registration information and eligibility can be found at de.gov/voterfaq.

Delawareans can register to vote online at ivote.de.gov or in person by printing an application form and submitting it to the Department of Elections. Individuals can also call the Department of Elections Office in their respective county to have a voter registration application mailed to complete.

Voter registration applications for new registrants must be postmarked by Aug. 17 in order to meet the deadline, according to the Department of Elections.

Delawareans can also register in person at one of the Department of Elections’ office in Wilmington, Dover or Georgetown. Individuals can visit a location from Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and must bring an ID displaying your name and current state address.

A primary election deadline notice has been posted on the department’s website at elections.delaware.gov. Individuals can also call the department at 302-739-4277 for details on voter registration.

Department of Elections