Delaware Voters Head to Polls for State Primary Elections

Voters in the United States state of Delaware are heading to the polls on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, to cast their ballots in the state primary elections. These crucial contests are being held ahead of the wider US midterm elections, drawing significant attention from news organizations including the Associated Press and Al Jazeera as local candidates vie for their respective party nominations.

The electoral process in Delaware is governed by a closed primary system. Under this specific framework, only registered Democrats are permitted to cast ballots in the Democratic Primary, while only registered Republicans are allowed to vote in the Republican Primary. Independent and unaffiliated voters are consequently excluded from participating in these intra-party selection contests.

Official registration figures released ahead of the election indicate that there were about 808,000 registered voters across the state of Delaware as of September 1. Within this broader electorate, party affiliation data shows there are approximately 331,000 registered Democrats and roughly 199,000 registered Republicans eligible to take part in their respective party primaries on Tuesday.

At the federal level, Democratic US Senator Chris Coons faces a competitive race as he seeks his party's nomination. He is confronted by three primary opponents in his bid to continue representing the state: Jeff Appelhans, Mary Louve, and Eric Hansen. All four candidates are competing within the Democratic primary framework established by Delaware's election rules.

Meanwhile, other prominent Democratic figures on the ballot face a much different electoral landscape. Democratic US Representative Sarah McBride is completely unopposed in her primary contest as she launches her campaign to secure a second term in the US House of Representatives. Other political figures noted in connection with the broader political and academic ecosystem in the state include Michael Katz, John Shulli, Joseph Arminio, Earl Cooper, John Whalen, and the University of Delaware.