Dover Afb, Delaware Public Records

Business owners and those planning to launch new ventures in the Dover area should consult with the Planning and Zoning Department to understand the necessary steps and requirements for establishing operations that meet all regulatory standards.

Delaware residents, including military personnel stationed at the base who claim Delaware residency, can register online at https://ivote.de.gov/ until the fourth Saturday before any election, which is 24 days prior. Registration requires a valid Delaware driver's license or DMV-issued ID card, and the portal also accommodates address updates and party affiliation changes. First-time voters must show identification at polling locations, with military personnel able to use military ID cards. As a federal military installation, Dover Air Force Base has no municipal government and therefore holds no city elections. Base residents instead vote in Kent County, Delaware state, and federal elections based on their on-base residence addresses. Polling place assignments are accessible through the Delaware Polling Place Lookup tool at https://ivote.de.gov/VoterView by entering name and date of birth. Residents typically cast ballots at locations in nearby Dover or at base facilities designated by county election officials. The November 2024 general election demonstrated civic engagement, with Kent County achieving approximately 68% voter turnout as roughly 65,000 ballots were cast from about 95,000 registered voters, reflecting heightened interest in the presidential race. The November 3, 2026 general election will present several significant races for Dover AFB and Kent County voters. Delaware's Class II U.S. Senate seat is not up for election in 2026, but the U.S. House of Representatives sefor Delaware's At-Large Congressional District will be contested. The state holds gubernatorial elections in off-cycle years, with the next scheduled for 2028, but all 21 Delaware State Senate seats and all 41 Delaware State House seats will appear on the ballot, including legislative districts serving Dover AFB residents, typically State Senate District 16 and State House Districts 27, 28, or 29 depending on specific base housing locations. Kent County will elect Levy Court Commissioners for certain districts on staggered four-year terms. Because Delaware operates under a state-administered election system, county offices like Sheriff are appointed rather than elected. The Kent County Department of Elections will finalize candidate lists and any ballot measures by summer 2026. Delaware offers no-excuse absentee voting, meaning any registered voter can request an absentee ballot without providing a reason. Military and overseas voters receive additional protections under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). Absentee ballot applications can be submitted online at https://ivote.de.gov/, by mail, or in person at the Kent County Department of Elections office. Applications must arrive by the Friday before Election Day for general elections. Completed absentee ballots must be received by 8:00 PM on Election Day, not simply postmarked by that date. The state allows early voting at designated locations beginning the Friday before Election Day and continuing through the Sunday before Election Day. Public election records in Delaware include voter registration lists available for purchase by campaigns and political organizations, campaign finance reports filed with the Delaware State Election Commissioner at https://cfrs.elections.delaware.gov/ that detail contributions and expenditures for state and county candidates, candidate filing information, and precinct-level results. The Delaware Department of Elections publishes election results at https://elections.delaware.gov/results/index.shtml within hours of polls closing, while the Kent County Department of Elections provides detailed local results including school board races. Delaware voter registration lists are not freely available online as a privacy protection, but bona fide political organizations can purchase them for $25. Military voters at the base should verify their voter registration reflects their correct residence status, whether Delaware resident or home-of-record state absentee, to ensure they receive appropriate ballots.