Distribution of ballots, envelopes, and instructions; envelope specifications; pre-paid postage.
Del. Code tit. 15, § 5504
in effect(a) Upon receipt of a statement from an elector pursuant to § 5503 of this title, the Department shall process the same and confirm that the elector qualifies for an absentee ballot pursuant to § 5502 of this title.
(b) Not more than 60 nor less than 4 days prior to an election, and within 3 days after the absentee ballots, envelopes, and instructions therefore become available, the Department shall mail, to each elector who requests and qualifies for an absentee ballot pursuant to § 5502 of this title, the following:
(1) An absentee ballot for the election district in which the elector resides;
(2) Instructions for completing the absentee ballot and returning it to the Department, marked “INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING AND RETURNING AN ABSENTEE BALLOT”; and
(3) An envelope marked “BALLOT ENVELOPE,” which shall be:
a. Of the type known as a security mailing envelope, designed to securely protect the contents thereof from tampering, removal, or substitution without detection;
b. Large enough to carry the ballot envelope containing the completed absentee ballot; and
c. Addressed for return to the Department.
(c) Postage for all mailings made pursuant to this subsection shall be pre-paid by the Department.
(d) Nothing contained in this section shall prevent the issuance of an absentee ballot to those lawfully entitled thereto when the request is made less than 4 days prior to the election.
Source: DE Code (Official Site)URL: https://delcode.delaware.gov/title15/c055/index.htmlFetched: 10/4/2026