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Delaware Primary and Delegate Rules

Last reviewed: July 26, 2026. Delaware primary election and presidential delegate rule information is summarized from the source links listed on this page. Confirm final rules, deadlines, and party procedures with the listed official sources.

Quick Answer​

  • Primary types: Democratic presidential: Closed; Democratic state: Closed; Republican presidential: Closed; Republican state: Closed.
  • Consolidated presidential and state primaries: No.
  • Democratic delegates: 33 total, 17 pledged, 16 unpledged, 2 alternates.
  • Republican delegates: 16 total, 16 pledged, 0 unpledged, 13 alternates.

Delaware Primary Election Types​

Primary election types by party and contest
PartyContestPrimary type
DemocraticPresidentialClosed
DemocraticStateClosed
RepublicanPresidentialClosed
RepublicanStateClosed

Presidential and State Primaries Scheduling​

Consolidated Primaries: No

Delaware is one of the states that have Not merged their presidential and state primaries. On a Presidential Election year, presidential primaries and State primaries are scheduled to run on different dates

Delaware has closed primaries, meaning only those voters registered for a certain party may vote in that party's primary.

Voting In Primaries​

  • Only Democrats can vote in the Democratic Primary.
  • Only Republicans can vote in the Republican Primary.
  • The deadline to change party affiliation before the Primary is the last Friday in May.
  • You may change your party affiliation after the Primary.

Delaware Presidential Delegate Allocation​

The presidential primary process involves selecting delegates who will represent the state at the party's national convention. Delegates selected from the primary elections attend the party's national convention, where they officially nominate the presidential candidate. The candidate with the majority of delegates becomes the party's nominee for the presidential election.

Delaware presidential delegate counts
PartyTotal delegate votesPledgedUnpledgedAlternatesAllocation methodThreshold
Democratic Party3317162Proportional15% minimum vote required
Republican Party1616013Winner-Take-AllNot specified

Democratic Party Primary Delegates Process​

Democratic Party Delegates Allocation​

The Democratic Party in Delaware uses a proportional representation system based on the results of the Presidential Preference Election (Primary) for apportioning delegates to the Democratic National Convention. In 2024, Delaware's Democratic party will send a total of 33 Delegate Votes and 2 Alternate Delegates to the DNC national convention. Of the 33 delegate votes, 17 Pledged Delegate Votes (11 District-level delegates, 4 At-Large, and 2 PLEOs) and 16 Automatic Delegate Votes. 17 of 33 delegates to the Democratic National Convention are pledged to presidential contenders based on the results of the voting in Delaware Presidential Primary. A mandatory 15 percent threshold is required in order for a presidential contender to be allocated National Convention delegates at either the "subdivision" or statewide level.

Delegates Breakdown​

  • District-level Delegates: 11
  • At-large Delegates: 4
  • Pledged PLEOs Delegates: 2
  • Automatic Delegates - Unpledged PLEOs: 16
  • Alternate Delegates: 2

Automatic Delegates (Unpledged PLEOs - Super Delegates) Breakdown​

  • DNC Members: 11
  • Dem. Members of Congress: 3
  • Dem. Governors: 1
  • Distinguished Party Leaders: 1

Republican Party Primary Delegates Process​

Republican Party Delegates Allocation​

The Republican Party in Delaware uses a Winner-Take-All system based on the results of the Presidential Preference Election (Primary) for apportioning delegates to the Republican National Convention. All 16 of Delaware's delegates to the Republican National Convention are allocated to the presidential contender receiving the greatest number of votes statewide in Delaware Presidential Primary. Delaware's Republican party will send a total of 16 Delegate Votes and 13 Alternate Delegates to the 2024 RNC national convention. 16 Pledged Delegate Votes (3 District-level delegates, 10 At-Large, and 3 RNC delegates).

Delegates Breakdown​

  • District-level Delegates: 3
  • At-large Delegates: 10
  • RNC Delegates: 3
  • Alternate Delegates: 13

About These Rules​

This page contains primary election rules and presidential primary delegate allocation information for states and U.S. territories.

Primary voting rules and delegate allocation usually apply to statewide partisan primary elections. Check with your local election office for current guidance because rules, dates, and party procedures can change.

The information provided on this page was validated using the following resources: