Delaware Senate Election: Voter Turnout Threshold

Delaware voters head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, with registration and absentee ballot deadlines already passed or approaching. Polls run 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and despite closed primaries, all registered voters may choose any candidate in the general election. Top races include U.S. Senate, where Democratic incumbent Chris Coons seeks reelection against Republican challenger Michael Katz, a physician and former Democratic state senator who later ran as an independent before switching parties. In the attorney general race, Democratic incumbent Kathy Jennings, in office since 2019, faces Republican challenger David Graham, a Delaware National Guard veteran and certified public accountant. Results will factor into national control of Congress.

Delaware voters headed to the polls Tuesday in the last state primary before November, choosing nominees for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, attorney general, treasurer, and legislative seats. Polls closed at 8 p.m. ET.

Democratic Sen. Chris Coons, seeking a third full term, faced three primary challengers, including Eric Hansen, the 2024 Republican Senate nominee now running as a Democrat under the ballot name "E. No-Trump Hansen." Coons significantly outraised his rivals. On the Republican side, former state Sen. Michael Katz and Army Reserves Col. John Shulli competed for the nomination. Rep. Sarah McBride ran unopposed for a second term. Attorney General Kathy Jennings faced two Democratic primary challengers, while Republican David Graham ran unopposed. The treasurer's race was the state's only open statewide seat, with three Democrats competing and Republican Michael Ramone unopposed.

Despite a midterm climate historically unfavorable to the president's party, Delaware's statewide offices are expected to remain solidly Democratic, extending a streak dating to the 1990s. All 41 state House seats and about half of the state Senate seats were also on the ballot.

Delaware's Nov. 3 general election will decide a new state treasurer, the state's U.S. Senate seat, its lone U.S. House seat, and several legislative races, following the Sept. 15 primary. Early voting runs Oct. 22-24, Oct. 26-27, and Oct. 28-Nov. 1, with none on Oct. 25. Voter registration for the general election closes Oct. 10, or Oct. 19 for military and overseas citizens. Voters may cast ballots in person on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., or request an absentee ballot by Oct. 30 if unable to vote in person due to disability, illness, caregiving, religious observance, or military service.

A Delaware judge separately dismissed a lawsuit from state Senate Minority Leader Gerald Hocker challenging the state's permanent absentee voting system, ruling the automatic mailing of ballots to eligible permanent absentee voters does not violate the state constitution. The Elections Department still recommends those voters submit fresh applications, since an appeal to the state Supreme Court is expected. Hocker faces Democratic challenger Harry S. Gold in his own re-election race this cycle.

Delaware's primary election results have become a focal point for midterm analysis, with commentary centering on Republican challenger Joe Arminio's remarks about Rep. Sarah McBride, which critics say misgendered the incumbent. The exchange has drawn attention to the broader competitiveness and tone of the state's House race heading into November.

Panel discussion also touched on the growing influence of the Working Families Party and progressive organizing within Democratic primaries, signaling potential shifts in coalition dynamics for the midterms. Separately, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner's case is moving to the Department of Justice, adding a legal dimension to the political landscape in the region. Analysts also raised concerns about whether the Supreme Court's recent ruling on mail voting could create confusion or logistical challenges at polling places this cycle, a factor that may affect turnout and ballot administration in upcoming elections.

Joe Arminio, the Republican nominee challenging Democratic Rep. Sarah McBride for Delaware's House seat, issued a statement defending his conduct after a misgendering controversy at a recent event. Arminio repeatedly referred to McBride, who is openly transgender, as "he" and "gentleman," prompting organizers to cut his speaking time short. McBride, notably, did not ask for him to be removed from the event.

In his statement, Arminio said he appreciated McBride's defense of his freedom of speech and reaffirmed his support for the Constitution. He argued that this support extends to an individual's right to assert their own gender identity, as well as his own right to state the facts as he sees them. The incident has drawn attention to the tone of the Delaware House race, in which McBride, the first openly transgender member of Congress, is seeking reelection.

Republican U.S. House nominee Joseph "Dr. Joe" Arminio was removed from a candidate forum hosted by the Jewish Federation of Delaware on Sept. 17 after repeatedly misgendering Rep. Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender member of Congress, drawing boos from the audience and a warning from organizers before his microphone was cut. Arminio, who secured the GOP nomination with 48% of the primary vote, has not publicly addressed the incident. Fellow Republican candidate Dr. Mike Katz condemned the conduct and called on Arminio to withdraw from the race, calling the matter "bigger than party and bigger than politics."

The episode adds to a pattern of misgendering McBride has faced since taking office in 2024, including incidents on the House floor, amid a broader national debate over transgender rights fueled by Trump administration policies limiting federal gender recognition. McBride responded by pointing to her legislative record, including bipartisan bills and constituent service recognition, saying she remains focused on cost-of-living issues rather than "politicians seeking to go viral." The Delaware GOP has not commented on the forum or Katz's call for Arminio's withdrawal.

Senate Judiciary Committee tensions flared as Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., accused FBI Director Kash Patel of using the bureau to target journalists covering the Trump administration, at one point comparing him to a "thug." Booker pressed Patel on an FBI investigation into New York Times reporters who covered security concerns surrounding the Qatar-donated Air Force One, and questioned whether agents accessed federal databases to gather information on Times journalist Elizabeth Williamson after she reported that Patel had given his girlfriend government-funded security and transportation.

Patel denied targeting reporters, countering that the Obama administration had subpoenaed reporters and conducted extensive interviews in leak investigations. He said his agency instead focuses on people leaking classified information that could endanger officials and citizens. Patel dismissed Booker's "thug" remark as ironic, noting Booker's presidential ambitions.

The exchange underscores ongoing scrutiny of FBI conduct toward the press and government accountability under the current administration, issues with implications for oversight-related prediction markets.

Early in-person voting opened in Grand Rapids, Michigan, giving residents 13 days to cast ballots before the Nov. 3 general election—beyond the nine days required by state law. Voters can cast ballots at any of four sites—St. Peter and Paul School, GRPS University, Ottawa Hills High School, and New Hope Baptist Church—rather than being limited to a home precinct, as on Election Day. The city is also offering live wait-time tracking online. City Clerk Joel Hondorp said absentee voting remains the most popular early option, and voters can bring absentee ballots to any early voting site or their precinct to run through the tabulator in person. The early voting window closes the Sunday before Election Day.

Delaware state Rep. Josue Ortega has pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor offensive touching charge stemming from an alleged May domestic incident. He was charged in August after Kaywren Phelps, a woman he had been in a relationship with, alleged he punched her in the face and took her phone during an argument near a Wilmington shopping center. Police documented swelling and discoloration on her face when she reported the incident. Ortega entered his plea on September 22, ahead of a scheduled arraignment, and a trial has been set for December.

Phelps' allegations, made public earlier this summer, prompted a Delaware House Ethics Committee investigation whose findings have not been disclosed. Both Ortega and Phelps previously filed competing protection-from-abuse petitions against each other. Ortega, whose district covers parts of Wilmington, lost his reelection bid in a three-way Democratic primary this month. His attorney has declined to comment on the case.