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Republican Party primaries in Delaware, 2018

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Republican Party primaries, 2018
Delaware Republican Party.jpg
Primary Date
September 6, 2018
Federal elections
Republican primary for U.S. Senate
Republican primaries for U.S. House
State elections
Republican primaries for Delaware legislature
Republican primary for attorney general
State party
Republican Party of Delaware
State political party revenue

Primary elections—in which registered voters select a candidate whom they believe should run on the party's ticket in the general election—can reflect internal conflict over the direction of a party.

Heading into the 2018 election, the Republican Party's legislative record during Donald Trump’s presidency figured into several Republican primaries. This record included the passage of major tax legislation in December 2017 and the confirmation of federal judges. It also included a $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill in March 2018, which Trump opposed, and unsuccessful efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.[1][2]

Trump, himself, also played a role in Republican primaries. His approval rating reached 90% in June among self-described Republicans, according to a Gallup survey.[3] Many Republican candidates campaigned on their support for Trump, and negative ads accusing opponents of criticizing the president were common.[4][5][6] A May report found Trump's name or image had appeared in 37% of all Republican campaign ads at that point in 2018.[7]

This page focuses on the Republican primaries that took place in Delaware on September 6, 2018. In addition, the page provides context for understanding the state party apparatus.

Federal elections

U.S. Senate

See also: United States Senate election in Delaware (September 6, 2018 Republican primary)
To see a full list of candidates in the Republican primary, click "Show more" below.
Show more
Republican Party Republican primary candidates


Did not make the ballot:
Candidate Connection = candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey

U.S. House

See also: United States House election in Delaware (September 6, 2018 Republican primary)
A Republican Party primary election took place on September 6, 2018, in Delaware to determine which Republican would run in the state's November 6, 2018, general election. To see a full list of candidates in the Republican primaries, click "Show more" below.
Show more
Republican Party Republican primary candidates

State elections

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

Attorney general election

See also: Delaware Attorney General election, 2018 (September 6 Republican primary)

Republican Party Republican primary candidates


Did not make the ballot:

State party overview

See also: Republican Party of Delaware
Delaware Republican Party.jpg


State political party revenue

See also: State political party revenue and State political party revenue per capita

State political parties typically deposit revenue in separate state and federal accounts in order to comply with state and federal campaign finance laws. The following table displays the Republican Party of Delaware's revenue over a six-year period from 2011 to 2016. Revenue totals are broken down by account type and year. The data was compiled through publicly available state and federal campaign finance reports.

Republican Party of Delaware revenue, 2011 to 2016[8][9]
Year Federal account State account(s) Total
2011 $211,334.29 $181,865.17 $393,199.46
2012 $409,236.99 $110,870.05 $520,107.04
2013 $151,223.40 $44,750.28 $195,973.68
2014 $224,682.05 $210,586.47 $435,268.52
2015 $163,440.60 $49,255.00 $212,695.60
2016 $228,910.64 $125,951.07 $354,861.71

Delaware compared to other states

The Democratic Party and the Republican Party maintain state affiliates in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and select U.S. territories. The following maps display total state political party revenue per capita for the Democratic and Republican state party affiliates from 2011 to 2016. The blue map displays Democratic state parties and the red map displays Republican state parties. Click on a state below to view the state party's revenue per capita totals:

Total Democratic and Republican state political party revenue per capita in the United States, 2011-2016

Primary election scheduling

Delaware was the only state to hold a primary election on September 6, 2018.

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.[10][11][12]

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.[13]

Registration requirements

Check your voter registration status here.

To vote in Delaware, an individual must meet the following requirements:[14]

  • 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."[15]

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.[16][17]

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."[17]

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.[18]

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."[19]

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.[20] 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.[21][22]

As of July 2024, the state website said:[21]

“

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[23]
 ”

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.[22]

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.[24] The court agreed to hear the case on an expedited basis to provide clarity to voters and election administrators before the November election.[25] 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.[26]

According to the state's absentee/mail-in ballot application, an individual is eligible for any of the following reasons:[27]

“
  • 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.[23]
 ”

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.[27]

On October 7, 2022, the Delaware Supreme Court struck down a state law allowing any registered voter to vote by absentee/mail-in ballot.[28]

On eligibility, Article V, Section 4A, of the Delaware Constitution reads:[29][30]

“ 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.[23] ”


Pivot Counties

See also: Pivot Counties by state

One of three Delaware counties—33.33 percent—is a Pivot County. Pivot Counties are counties that voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012 and for Donald Trump (R) in 2016. Altogether, the nation had 206 Pivot Counties, with most being concentrated in upper midwestern and northeastern states.

Counties won by Trump in 2016 and Obama in 2012 and 2008
County Trump margin of victory in 2016 Obama margin of victory in 2012 Obama margin of victory in 2008
Kent County, Delaware 4.87% 4.94% 9.81%

In the 2016 presidential election, Hillary Clinton (D) won Delaware with 53.4 percent of the vote. Donald Trump (R) received 41.9 percent. In presidential elections between 1900 and 2016, Delaware voted Republican 53.33 percent of the time and Democratic 46.67 percent of the time. In the five presidential elections between 2000 and 2016, Delaware voted Democratic all five times.

Presidential results by legislative district

The following table details results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections by state House districts in Delaware. Click [show] to expand the table. The "Obama," "Romney," "Clinton," and "Trump" columns describe the percent of the vote each presidential candidate received in the district. The "2012 Margin" and "2016 Margin" columns describe the margin of victory between the two presidential candidates in those years. The "Party Control" column notes which party held that seat heading into the 2018 general election. Data on the results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections broken down by state legislative districts was compiled by Daily Kos.[31][32]

In 2012, Barack Obama (D) won 28 out of 41 state House districts in Delaware with an average margin of victory of 35.2 points. In 2016, Hillary Clinton (D) won 27 out of 41 state House districts in Delaware with an average margin of victory of 31.7 points. Clinton won three districts controlled by Republicans heading into the 2018 elections.
In 2012, Mitt Romney (R) won 13 out of 41 state House districts in Delaware with an average margin of victory of 12.8 points. In 2016, Donald Trump (R) won 14 out of 41 state House districts in Delaware with an average margin of victory of 22.3 points. Trump won one district controlled by a Democrat heading into the 2018 elections.

See also

Federal primaries in Delaware State primaries in Delaware Delaware state party apparatus Delaware voter information
CongressLogo.png
Flag of Delaware.png
Seal of Delaware.png
Election Policy Logo.png

Footnotes

  1. ↑ ‘’National Review’’, “Trump Is Not Blameless in the Spending-Bill Disaster,” March 28, 2018
  2. ↑ The New York Times, "A New Guide to the Republican Herd," August 26, 2012
  3. ↑ Gallup, "Trump Job Approval Slips Back to 41%," June 25, 2018
  4. ↑ Daily Commercial, "Trump hurdle looms large in Florida GOP governor primary," July 30, 2018
  5. ↑ Daily Commercial, "These 2018 Primaries Are Worth Watching," July 25, 2018
  6. ↑ Washington Post, "Republican primary candidates have one goal: Securing Trump’s endorsement or denying it to an opponent," July 25, 2018
  7. ↑ USA Today, "Donald Trump once divided Republicans; ads for midterms signal that's no longer true," May 17, 2018
  8. ↑ State of Delaware, "Delaware Campaign Finance Reporting System," accessed May 2016 (Search terms Republican State Committee of Delaware and Democratic State Committee)
  9. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Candidate and Committee Viewer," accessed May 2016 (Search terms Republican State Committee of Delaware and Democratic State Committee (Delaware))
  10. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Primary Election Types," accessed July 22, 2024
  11. ↑ State of Delaware, "Primary Election," accessed July 22, 2024
  12. ↑ Delaware.gov, "TITLE 15 Elections, CHAPTER 49. Conduct of Election § 3110 Qualifications of voters," accessed July 22, 2024
  13. ↑ Delaware Code, "Title 15, Chapter 49, Section 4947," accessed July 22, 2024
  14. ↑ Office of the State Election Commissioner , "Qualifications," accessed July 22, 2024
  15. ↑ Delaware Department of Elections, "Voter Registration," accessed July 22, 2024
  16. ↑ State of Delaware, "Automatic Voter Registration at DMV," June 20, 2023
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 State of Delaware Department of Elections, "Automatic Voter Registration FAQs," accessed July 22, 2024
  18. ↑ AP, "Delaware justices nix vote-by-mail, same-day registration," October 7, 2022
  19. ↑ Delaware Elections, "State of Delaware All-In-One Form to Register to Vote or Update Your Information," accessed November 1, 2024
  20. ↑ 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."
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Delaware.gov, "Voting in Delaware," accessed July 22, 2024
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 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
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  24. ↑ WHYY, "Delaware Supreme Court restores access to early voting, permanent absentee voting," February 23, 2024
  25. ↑ Delaware.gov, "In unanimous ruling, Court sides with Jennings on voting rights," June 28, 2024
  26. ↑ State of Delaware Department of Elections, "Absentee Voting," accessed July 22, 2024
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 State of Delaware Department of Elections, "Request for an Absentee Ballot for Primary, General and/or Special Elections," accessed July 22, 2024
  28. ↑ Delaware Online, "Delaware Supreme Court finds vote by mail, same-day registration unconstitutional," October 7, 2022
  29. ↑ Delaware Code Online, "Article V. Elections." accessed April 6, 2023
  30. ↑ Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, "Higgin v. Albence: Memorandum Opinion," September 14, 2022
  31. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' statewide election results by congressional and legislative districts," July 9, 2013
  32. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2016 presidential results for congressional and legislative districts," February 6, 2017
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Party primaries by state, 2018
Republican primaries, 2018
Democratic primaries, 2018
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