If you’re planning on running for Newark City Council you need to hurry. Here’s what you need to know.
Need help identifying your district? View the Election Polling Places application here!
The City of Newark Election Polling Places application helps citizens locate their election polling place and obtain information about current elected officials. To locate a polling place, simply click on the map or enter an address in the search box. The polling place and respective voting precinct will then be highlighted on the map and information about the polling place will appear in a pop-up box on the page. For an instructional video on how to operate the polling place application, click here.
A form of identification will be required of all voters and masks are required for anyone age 13 and over who is entering the polling place. For absentee ballots, please contact the City Secretary’s Office at (302) 366-7000.
Candidate Qualifications
In order to run for Council Member in Districts 1, 2 and 4, candidates must meet the following requirements:
You must have resided in the city for at least one year preceding the election.
You must be a qualified voter of the city in the Council district you wish to represent.
You must not have been convicted of a felony for a period of 15 years preceding the election as that crime is designated by the State of Delaware.
You must file a nominating petition with the City Secretary’s office with a minimum of 10 signatures of qualified voters residing in the district which the candidate is seeking election by 5:00 p.m. on February 8, 2021.
Filed Candidates
The following candidates have filed for the office of District 1 Council member for a two-year term:
James Horning Jr. announced that he is seeking a second term and that he has filed his paperwork.
The following candidates have filed for the office of District 2 Council member for a two-year term: None
Sharon Hughes is planning to run for her second term, however, she has yet to officially file.
The following candidates have filed for the office of District 4 Council member for a two-year term:
Dwendolyn Creecy
Information regarding the candidates from media sources will be posted as they are published.
Polls open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m. The polling places for the election will be published once they are approved by Council after the February 8, 2021 filing deadline.
Voter Registration
*** To vote in the April 13, 2021 election, you must be registered by Monday, March 22, 2021. ***
Requirements to Vote
You must be at least 18 years old by Election Day.
You must be a U.S. citizen.
You must have established residency in the city for at least 24 days prior to the election.
Any individual who is at least 18 years old and is registered to vote with the State of Delaware at a residence within the corporate limits of the City of Newark is eligible to vote. If you are unsure if you are registered, please call the City Secretary’s office at (302) 366-7000 and a staff member can look up your registration. You may register to vote through the State Department of Elections here.
Request an Absentee Ballot
The City strongly encourages City residents to vote via absentee ballot for the April 13, 2021 Council elections due to the COVID-19 State of Emergency. Absentee ballot affidavits and a cover letter detailing instructions will be mailed to every registered voter in districts with an election after the February 8, 2021 filing deadline. The final deadline for returning completed affidavits is Friday, April 9, 2021. All completed absentee ballots must be returned to the City Secretary’s Office no later than 8:00 p.m. the day of the election.
Working at the Polls
The City of Newark is looking for City residents who would like to work at the polling places. Workers must be available from 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the day of the election as well as for a training to be scheduled in the week prior to the election. Payment ranges from $150 to $185 for workers depending on the role to which they are assigned plus an additional $50 for attending training prior to the election. Lunch is also provided.
For more information, you should contact the City Secretary’s Office at 302-366-7000 or [email protected].
More Information
If you have specific questions about city elections, you may call the City Secretary’s Office at (302) 366-7000. For further information, you may call the New Castle County Department of Elections at (302) 577-3464.
Election Calendar
January 26, 2021, 5:30 p.m. – Election Board organizational meeting.
February 8, 2021, 5:00 p.m. – Filing deadline for candidates for Council Members in Districts 1, 2 and 4.
March 22, 2021 – Deadline to register to vote in the April 13, 2021 city election.
April 12, 2021, Time TBD. – Election Board meeting to begin processing absentee ballots; Ballots will not be counted at this meeting
April 13, 2021, 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. – Election Day
April 13, 2021, 5:00 p.m. – Absentee judges begin counting absentee ballots
April 15, 2021, 5:00 p.m. – Election Board certification meeting
April 22, 2021 – Organizational meeting for the swearing in of new Council members
Source: City Of Newark
