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Delaware state executive official elections, 2020

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2022
2018
Delaware state executive official elections
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Election details
Filing deadline: July 14, 2020
Primary: September 15, 2020
General: November 3, 2020
How to vote
Poll times: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Voting in Delaware
Ballotpedia analysis
Federal and state primary competitiveness
State executive elections in 2020
Impact of term limits in 2020
State government trifectas and triplexes
Other state executive elections

Three state executive offices were up for election in Delaware in 2020:

Governor
Lieutenant Governor
Insurance Commissioner

Candidates and election results

Governor

General election

General election for Governor of Delaware

Incumbent John C. Carney Jr. defeated Julianne Murray, Kathy DeMatteis, and John Machurek in the general election for Governor of Delaware on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of John C. Carney Jr.
John C. Carney Jr. (D)
 
59.5
 
292,903
Image of Julianne Murray
Julianne Murray (R) Candidate Connection
 
38.6
 
190,312
Image of Kathy DeMatteis
Kathy DeMatteis (Independent Party) Candidate Connection
 
1.2
 
6,150
Image of John Machurek
John Machurek (L)
 
0.7
 
3,270

Total votes: 492,635
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Governor of Delaware

Incumbent John C. Carney Jr. defeated David Lamar Williams Jr. in the Democratic primary for Governor of Delaware on September 15, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of John C. Carney Jr.
John C. Carney Jr.
 
84.8
 
101,142
Image of David Lamar Williams Jr.
David Lamar Williams Jr. Candidate Connection
 
15.2
 
18,169

Total votes: 119,311
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Governor of Delaware

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for Governor of Delaware on September 15, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Julianne Murray
Julianne Murray Candidate Connection
 
41.2
 
22,819
Image of Colin Bonini
Colin Bonini Candidate Connection
 
34.6
 
19,161
Image of Bryant Richardson
Bryant Richardson
 
7.7
 
4,262
Image of Scott Walker
Scott Walker
 
7.2
 
3,998
David Bosco
 
6.6
 
3,660
Image of David Graham
David Graham
 
2.8
 
1,547

Total votes: 55,447
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates


Lieutenant Governor

General election

General election for Lieutenant Governor of Delaware

Incumbent Bethany Hall-Long defeated Donyale Hall in the general election for Lieutenant Governor of Delaware on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Bethany Hall-Long
Bethany Hall-Long (D)
 
59.1
 
285,638
Image of Donyale Hall
Donyale Hall (R)
 
40.9
 
197,343

Total votes: 482,981
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Bethany Hall-Long advanced from the Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor of Delaware.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Donyale Hall advanced from the Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor of Delaware.


Insurance Commissioner

General election

General election for Delaware Insurance Commissioner

Incumbent Trinidad Navarro defeated Julia Pillsbury in the general election for Delaware Insurance Commissioner on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Trinidad Navarro
Trinidad Navarro (D)
 
59.5
 
286,743
Image of Julia Pillsbury
Julia Pillsbury (R)
 
40.5
 
195,305

Total votes: 482,048
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Delaware Insurance Commissioner

Incumbent Trinidad Navarro defeated Kayode Abegunde in the Democratic primary for Delaware Insurance Commissioner on September 15, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Trinidad Navarro
Trinidad Navarro
 
64.1
 
73,847
Image of Kayode Abegunde
Kayode Abegunde Candidate Connection
 
35.9
 
41,429

Total votes: 115,276
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Julia Pillsbury advanced from the Republican primary for Delaware Insurance Commissioner.

Context of the 2020 elections

Party control in Delaware

Delaware Party Control: 1992-2025
Seventeen years of Democratic trifectas  •  No Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Governor R D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D
Senate D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D
House R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D

Voter information

How the primary works

A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Delaware utilizes a closed primary process, in which the selection of a party's candidates in an election is limited to registered party members.[1][2][3]

For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

Poll times

In Delaware, polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.[4]

Registration requirements

Check your voter registration status here.

To vote in Delaware, an individual must meet the following requirements:[5]

  • The individual must be a United States citizen.
  • The individual must be a resident of Delaware.
  • The individual must be 18 years of age by Election Day.
  • The individual must be mentally competent.
  • The individual must not be under a felony sentence or convicted of a disqualifying felony.

According to the Delaware Department of Elections, "The voter registration deadline is the 4th Saturday before a Primary and General Election. Voter registration applications submitted via the voter portal, ivote.de.gov, by the deadline, or received by mail by the Department and postmarked by the deadline, will be considered to be submitted by the deadline."[6]

Automatic registration

Delaware practices automatic voter registration through Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) locations and website. Individuals that complete an in-person or online application for a drivers license, learners permit, or identification card, or completes an in-person or online application to change their name or address on these documents, are atumatically registerd to vote. An individual whose eligibility and citizenship status have been confirmed by the DMV is also automatically registered.[7][8]

According to the Department of Election's website, voters that are automatically registered are mailed a "“Notice of Automatic Voter Registration”, which includes a “Response to Automatic Voter Registration” form. AVR voters may use the form to update their voter registration, choose a party affiliation, or cancel their voter registration."[8]

Online registration

See also: Online voter registration

Delaware has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.

Same-day registration

Delaware does not allow same-day voter registration.[9]

Residency requirements

To register to vote in Delaware, you must be a resident of the state. State law does not specify a length of time for which you must have been a resident to be eligible.

Verification of citizenship

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

Delaware does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual must attest that they are a U.S. citizen when registering to vote. According to the state's voter registration application, "if you register to vote even though you know you are not eligible, you can be fined between $50.00 - $200.00 or imprisoned for 30 days to two years, or both."[10]

All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment.[11] Seven states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming — have laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allows noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.

Verifying your registration

The state's voter portal allows residents to check their voter registration status online.

Voter ID requirements

Delaware requires voters to present non-photo identification while voting.[12][13]

As of July 2024, the state website said:[12]

When arriving at a polling place, a poll worker will ask you for proof of identity. A photo ID is not required.

Examples of acceptable IDs:

  • Delaware Driver’s License
  • Delaware Identification Card
  • U.S. Passport
  • Signed Polling Place card
  • Signed Social Security card
  • Signed vehicle registration
  • Signed credit card with photo ...

When arriving at an Early Voting Site, a poll worker will ask you for proof of identity. A photo ID is not required.

Permitted forms of identification include current:

  • Valid Photo ID
  • Copy of utility bill
  • Bank statement
  • Government check, paycheck, or other government document that displays your address[14]

Voters who do not present proof of identity can "sign an affidavit of affirmation that the voter is the person listed on the election district record," according to Delaware Code.[13]

Early voting

Delaware permits early voting. Learn more by visiting this website.

On June 28, 2024, the Delaware Supreme Court struck down a ruling from the Delaware Superior Court and reinstated early voting in the state. In a 5-0 decision, the court ruled that plaintiffs failed to prove that they would be harmed by laws permitting early voting, and therefore had no standing to sue. The decision, therefore, did not rule on the lower court's determination that early voting was prohibited by the Delaware Constitution.[15] The court agreed to hear the case on an expedited basis to provide clarity to voters and election administrators before the November election.[16] To read more about this case, see here.

Early voting permits citizens to cast ballots in person at a polling place prior to an election. In states that permit no-excuse early voting, a voter does not have to provide an excuse for being unable to vote on Election Day. States that allow voters to cast no-excuse absentee/mail-in ballots in person are counted as no-excuse early voting states.

Forty-seven states and the District of Columbia permit no-excuse early voting.

Absentee voting

The deadline for eligible voters to request an absentee/mail-in ballot is no later than four days before an election.[17]

According to the state's absentee/mail-in ballot application, an individual is eligible for any of the following reasons:[18]

  • I am in public service of the United States (U.S.) or the State of Delaware, or I am a citizen of the U.S. temporarily residing outside the territorial limits of the U.S. and the District of Columbia, or such person’s spouse or dependent when residing with or accompanying such person, or absent from this State because of illness or injury while serving the armed forces of the U.S.
  • I am in the armed forces of the U.S. or the merchant marine of the US., or attached to and serving with the armed forces of the U.S. in the American Red Cross or United Service Organizations.
  • Due to the nature of my business or occupation. This reason includes:
    • the business or occupaton of providing care to my parent, spouse, or child who is living at home and requires constant care due to illness, disability, or injury;
    • students; and
    • otherwise eligible persons who are incarcerated.
  • I am sick or physically disabled (temporarily or permanently).
  • I am absent from the district while on vacation.
  • I am unable to vote at a certain Ɵme or on a certain day due to the tenets or teachings of my religion.
  • I am otherwise authorized pursuant to the Federal

Uniformed and Overseas Citzens Absentee Voting Act to vote by absentee ballot.

  • I am otherwise authorized by federal law to vote by absentee ballot.[14]

Certain of these voters are eligible for a permanent absentee/mail-in voting status and may request to be added to the permanent list on their ballot application.[18]

On October 7, 2022, the Delaware Supreme Court struck down a state law allowing any registered voter to vote by absentee/mail-in ballot.[19]

On eligibility, Article V, Section 4A, of the Delaware Constitution reads:[20][21]

The General Assembly shall enact general laws providing that any qualified elector of this State, duly registered, who shall be unable to appear to cast his or her ballot at any general election at the regular polling place of the election district in which he or she is registered, either because of being in the public service of the United States or of this State, or his or her spouse or dependents when residing with or accompanying him or her because of the nature of his or her business or occupation, because of his or her sickness or physical disability, because of his or her absence from the district while on vacation, or because of the tenets or teachings of his or her religion, may cast a ballot at such general election to be counted in such election district.[14]

Past elections

2018

The following elections took place in 2018:

See also

Delaware State Executive Elections News and Analysis
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Delaware State Executive Offices
Delaware State Legislature
Delaware Courts
2025202420232022202120202019201820172016
Delaware elections: 2025202420232022202120202019201820172016
Party control of state government
State government trifectas
State of the state addresses
Partisan composition of governors

External links

Footnotes

  1. National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Primary Election Types," accessed July 22, 2024
  2. State of Delaware, "Primary Election," accessed July 22, 2024
  3. Delaware.gov, "TITLE 15 Elections, CHAPTER 49. Conduct of Election § 3110 Qualifications of voters," accessed July 22, 2024
  4. Delaware Code, "Title 15, Chapter 49, Section 4947," accessed July 22, 2024
  5. Office of the State Election Commissioner , "Qualifications," accessed July 22, 2024
  6. Delaware Department of Elections, "Voter Registration," accessed July 22, 2024
  7. State of Delaware, "Automatic Voter Registration at DMV," June 20, 2023
  8. 8.0 8.1 State of Delaware Department of Elections, "Automatic Voter Registration FAQs," accessed July 22, 2024
  9. AP, "Delaware justices nix vote-by-mail, same-day registration," October 7, 2022
  10. Delaware Elections, "State of Delaware All-In-One Form to Register to Vote or Update Your Information," accessed November 1, 2024
  11. Under federal law, the national mail voter registration application (a version of which is in use in all states with voter registration systems) requires applicants to indicate that they are U.S. citizens in order to complete an application to vote in state or federal elections, but does not require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the application "may require only the minimum amount of information necessary to prevent duplicate voter registrations and permit State officials both to determine the eligibility of the applicant to vote and to administer the voting process."
  12. 12.0 12.1 Delaware.gov, "Voting in Delaware," accessed July 22, 2024
  13. 13.0 13.1 Delaware Code, "Title 15, Chapter 49 Conduct of Elections § 4937 Voting procedure," accessed July 22, 2024 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "dvid" defined multiple times with different content
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  15. WHYY, "Delaware Supreme Court restores access to early voting, permanent absentee voting," February 23, 2024
  16. Delaware.gov, "In unanimous ruling, Court sides with Jennings on voting rights," June 28, 2024
  17. State of Delaware Department of Elections, "Absentee Voting," accessed July 22, 2024
  18. 18.0 18.1 State of Delaware Department of Elections, "Request for an Absentee Ballot for Primary, General and/or Special Elections," accessed July 22, 2024
  19. Delaware Online, "Delaware Supreme Court finds vote by mail, same-day registration unconstitutional," October 7, 2022
  20. Delaware Code Online, "Article V. Elections." accessed April 6, 2023
  21. Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, "Higgin v. Albence: Memorandum Opinion," September 14, 2022