Date Extended to Change “No Party” Affiliation

by Leslie Ledogar

Because Delaware is a closed primary state, only Delaware voters registered with the Democratic and Republican parties may vote in their party’s primary election.

Under the old rules, all voters who were automatically registered to vote through the Delaware Department of Motor Vehicles (“AVR voters”) were automatically assigned No Party, rather than being given the opportunity to select a political party affiliation at the time of registration. Later, these voters received a mailing that instructed them how to change their party affiliation from No Party (NP) to the Democrat or Republican Party and were required to do so no later than Friday, May 29, 2026.

However, recent legislation has extended the May 29, 2026, deadline by which AVR voters may switch party affiliation. Now AVR voters can switch from NP to a party affiliation up to and including on September 15, 2026, the date of the Primary Election.

The 2026 Primary Election will be the last election in which this AVR party-affiliation provision applies. Pursuant to a recent change in Delaware law, individuals registering to vote through the DMV will soon be given the opportunity to select a political party affiliation as part of the voter registration process.

The 2026 primaries are particularly important. That’s because over half of the races will be decided in the primary. In those races, the winner of the primary takes the seat because there is no challenge from the opposing party in the general election. So, be sure that your vote counts, especially in the 2026 primaries. Review your registration, make updates, or request an absentee ballot at ivote.de.gov, and make a plan to vote in the primary on September 15.

Leslie Ledogar is an attorney with experience in regulatory and advocacy work. She is secretary of the Delaware Democratic Party’s Executive Committee and is an officer of several state and local organizations.