Delaware Early Vote Surges Past 2022 Midterm Levels
Over 129,000 voters cast ballots early, a figure more than double that of the previous midterm cycle.
By Karan Meyer ·
Delawareans turned out in record numbers for the 2026 midterm elections, with early voting figures far exceeding those of the 2022 cycle. The state’s Department of Elections reported that more than 129,500 residents voted before Election Day. This total represents approximately 16% of the state's 809,600 registered voters. The volume of early ballots is more than twice the number recorded during the same period in the last midterm election.
Sussex County drove the majority of this activity. Voters in that county cast 59,766 early in-person ballots, accounting for roughly 46% of the state’s early vote. This is notable because Sussex County holds less than one-third of Delaware's total population. New Castle County followed with 49,461 early in-person ballots, while Kent County recorded 20,357.
The 2018 midterm, the last cycle held under a Republican administration, did not include early voting options. Evelyn Brady, chair of the Delaware Democratic Party, said her organization has focused heavily on Sussex County. She noted that Democrats are running candidates in areas where they have not been active for years. Specifically, the party is challenging Republicans in three Sussex House Districts: Gregg Lindner in District 4, Maureen Madden in District 38, and Ryan Stuckey in District 41.
Demographic data shows Democrats making up about 53% of the early vote statewide. However, Sussex County, which has a larger Republican population and a significant independent voter base, remains the epicenter of early in-person participation. The surge in early participation marks a distinct shift from the 2022 midterm, where turnout was considerably lower during the same pre-election window.
The final tally for the 2026 election will be determined on November 3. The Department of Elections will combine these early ballots with Election Day returns to certify the results. The current early voting numbers stand as the highest for a Delaware midterm since the implementation of the early voting system.
Source: Delaware Public Media
