Ellendale, Delaware Public Records

Registration must be completed at least 24 days before an election to vote in it. Online registration requires a Delaware driver's license number or Delaware identification card number; those without either document must register by mail or in person. Eligibility requirements include U.S. Citizenship, Delaware residency, being at least 18 by the next election, and not being mentally incompetent by court declaration or disqualified by felony conviction unless rights have been restored. The Town of Ellendale conducts separate municipal elections for mayor and four council members who serve staggered terms. These elections typically occur on the third Saturday in April during odd-numbered years. Candidate filing and specific election dates are posted at Town Hall, and on public notices around town. Municipal elections operate independently from county and state contests. Candidates file at Town Hall according to the charter's schedule, usually 30 to 60 days before voting day. Being a small municipality, turnout typically amounts to a few hundred votes. Information about local candidates and any ballot questions can be obtained from Town Hall or publicly posted notices. For state and federal elections, residents find their assigned polling place using the Delaware Polling Place Lookup tool at https://ivote.de.gov/VoterView, which searches by name and date of birth or address. Voters in town typically cast ballots at Ellendale Fire Hall or other nearby locations depending on precinct lines. Delaware offers no-excuse absentee voting, meaning any registered voter can request an absentee ballot without stating a reason. Applications are available at https://elections.delaware.gov/pubs/abdapp.shtml and must reach the Sussex County Department of Elections by the Friday before the election. Completed absentee ballots must arrive by 8:00 PM on Election Day to count. Under Title 15 of the Delaware Code, voter registration lists are public records available for political purposes but cannot be used for commercial solicitation. The Delaware Department of Elections maintains statewide data while the Sussex County office provides local information. Campaign finance reports for state and local candidates are filed with the Delaware Public Integrity Commission and available at https://pip.delaware.gov/. Precinct-level election results, including vote totals for candidates and ballot questions, are posted by the county after certification. The county historically leans Republican in federal and state races, though individual precinct results can vary. Delaware's single at-large U.S. The U.S. State legislative races will include the 37th Representative District and 20th Senatorial District, though boundaries remain subject to verification based on redistricting. Depending on the cycle, Sussex County Council seats may also appear on the ballot.Current federal, state, and local election schedules, ballot contests, candidate filings, and certified results for Ellendale voters are published by the Delaware Department of Elections (https://elections.delaware.gov/). Voters seeking information about 2026 candidates, ballot questions, or procedures should contact the Sussex County Department of Elections beginning in late 2025 when candidate filing opens and materials become available.