Delaware Scores 52 Out of 100 on Election Integrity. We Can Do Better.

How secure are Delaware's elections? According to The Heritage Foundation's Election Integrity Scorecard, Delaware scores just 52 out of 100 and ranks 35th in the country. There are several areas where Delaware receives full credit, but there are also some pretty basic election safeguards that Delaware doesn't have. We think Delaware can do better.

And here's the important part: you can tell the Delaware State Board of Elections what you think. At the end of this article, we'll give you the Board's email address and a few ideas for very short emails you can send. You don't need to write an essay. Pick an issue that matters to you, put it in your own words, and hit send.

Let's Start With Voter ID

Most people are probably surprised by Delaware's voter ID law. You are asked to show identification when you vote in person, but Delaware does not require photo ID.

According to the Delaware Department of Elections, acceptable identification can include a Delaware driver's license or state ID, U.S. passport, polling place card, Social Security card, vehicle registration, utility bill, bank statement, lease or deed, government mailing, or another similar document identifying the voter by photograph or signature.

But here's the part many Delawareans may not know: you can vote without presenting any ID at all. If you're registered, appear on the poll list and are at the proper polling place or early-voting site, you can complete an Affirmation of Voter Identity and then vote.

Heritage gives Delaware only 3 of 6 points for in-person voter identification and 0 of 6 for requiring photo ID or another unique identifier for absentee voting. Should Delaware require stronger voter identification? We think that's a fair question for the Board of Elections.

What About Absentee Ballots?

Here's another area that deserves attention. According to the Heritage scorecard, Delaware does not require signature comparison on absentee ballots, and we don't require absentee ballots to be notarized or witnessed either.

Delaware has also maintained a permanent absentee voter list. Under Delaware law, certain voters who qualified could obtain permanent absentee status. Once on that list, they did not have to make a new request every election. The Department was directed to automatically send them an absentee ballot for every election in which they were entitled to vote.

In the 2024 election, approximately 21,000 Delawareans used permanent absentee ballots. That's a lot of ballots being automatically mailed without a new application for that particular election.

Thank You, Senator Hocker

State Senator Gerald Hocker challenged Delaware's permanent absentee law in court, along with Michael Mennella. In February 2024, Superior Court Judge Mark Conner agreed with them and declared Delaware's permanent absentee voting statute unconstitutional, along with the state's early-voting statute.

The Delaware Supreme Court later vacated that decision, not because it concluded that the permanent absentee law was constitutional, but because the Court determined that Hocker and Mennella lacked standing to bring the challenge.

And the issue isn't over. Senator Hocker has challenged the permanent absentee statute again. The Department of Elections now warns permanent absentee voters that the litigation could prevent automatic ballots from being sent for the 2026 General Election and is telling those voters to submit new absentee applications. The case is scheduled to be heard September 4, 2026.

Thank you, Senator Hocker, for continuing to challenge this issue and asking the courts to determine whether Delaware's permanent absentee system complies with our Constitution.

Delaware Does Get Some Things Right

There is good news in Heritage's scorecard, too. Delaware compares its voter-registration records against DMV records, corrections records, state vital records and Social Security death records. Election officials verify new voter-registration addresses and look for unusual numbers of people registered at a single address, and Delaware shares voter-registration information with other states.

Delaware also requires absentee ballots to arrive by the close of polls on Election Day, does not automatically mail absentee ballots to every registered voter, allows election observers access, does not connect voting and tabulating machines to the internet, and conducts a post-election manual check of ballots.

So Where Else Can Delaware Improve?

Heritage identifies several other areas where Delaware receives zero points. According to the scorecard, Delaware does not use the U.S. Postal Service National Change of Address system to help identify voters who have moved, does not use the federal SAVE program to help identify noncitizens who may have registered to vote, does not require signature comparison for absentee ballots, does not require people assisting voters to identify themselves and state why they are providing assistance, and does not restrict absentee-ballot return to immediate family members or caregivers.

Heritage also gives Delaware zero points for not conducting the type of post-election procedural audit it recommends to determine whether election laws and procedures—not simply the vote count—were properly followed.

And Then There's the State Board of Elections

This is especially important because the State Board of Elections oversees Delaware's election system, while State Election Commissioner Anthony Albence provides general supervision to the Department of Elections.

But take a look at what happened this year. The Board's scheduled meetings on January 12, February 9, March 9, April 13, May 11, June, July 13 and August 10 were all canceled because of Board vacancies. That is essentially the first seven-plus months of an election year without a regularly functioning Board.

A Board meeting was finally held/listed on August 24, and the next State Board of Elections meeting is September 14, 2026.

We think Delaware voters should make their voices heard before that meeting.

Email the Delaware State Board of Elections

The Board publishes an email address specifically for the public to contact it. This is YOUR chane to tell the Board what you think.

EMAIL THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS: StateBoardOfElections@delaware.gov

Keep it short if you want. One or two sentences is enough. Here are a few ideas:

• “Why doesn't Delaware require photo ID to vote?”

• “Please consider stronger identification requirements for absentee ballots.”

• “I support requiring signature verification for absentee ballots.”

• “Please strengthen Delaware's voter-roll maintenance procedures.”

• “Why doesn't Delaware use the SAVE program to help verify citizenship?”

• “Please review the rules governing who can collect and return another person's absentee ballot.”

• “I believe people assisting voters should be required to identify themselves.”

• “Please consider stronger post-election audits of election procedures.”

• “What is the Board doing to improve Delaware's 52/100 Heritage Election Integrity Score?”

• “Please make election integrity a priority at the September 14 Board meeting.”

  
  

That's it. Pick the issue that matters to you, write a sentence or two, be respectful, and send it today!

And if you liked this topic, you may like the ad we took out in the Coast Point to promote the SAVE Act!

Be Sure to Vote in the Republican Primary September 15 or Early Voting!

Dr. Mike Katz for U.S. Senate and Earl Cooper for U.S. Congress are the only candidates who can beat Chris Coons and Sarah McBride—but first, they need your vote in the Republican Primary. Vote early September 2–13, or vote on Primary Election Day, September 15. Delaware is ready for a new direction.

Dr. Mike Katz is a pediatric anesthesiologist, former Delaware State Senator, and small business owner. He has spent his career caring for Delaware families and serving his community. He's running to bring common-sense leadership, fiscal responsibility, secure borders, and government that puts people before politics. Please vote for Dr. Mike Katz in the Republican Primary on September 15.

Rev. Earl Cooper is a pastor, small business owner, and community leader who has spent decades serving Delaware families. Through his work creating jobs, restoring neighborhoods, and expanding opportunities for homeownership and workforce training, he has dedicated his life to strengthening communities. He's running for Congress to bring faith, integrity, and common-sense leadership to Washington. He needs your vote in the Republican Primary on September 15.

See you TUESDAY, September 8, at our next 38th District and Southern Delaware Republican Club at the South Coastal Library, 6:30pm.

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