The City of Milford Council election is scheduled for April 25, 2026. City charter requires that the election be held on the last Saturday of April, something that can only be changed by a vote of the Delaware legislature. As it has for many years, the popular Bug and Bud Festival will be held on the same day.
“This is not a new thing,” Sade Truiett, Downtown Milford Coordinator said. “The last election had one of the highest voter turnouts in history and it was held the same day as the festival. Downtown Milford Inc. is currently reaching out to downtown organizations to see if we can offer a shuttle service like we did for the last election.”
The Bug and Bud Festival runs from 10 AM to 4 PM. Vendors arrive around 7 AM and are usually packed up by 4:30 PM. Polls are open from 10 AM until 6 PM. This allows any vendor who is eligible to vote to head to the polls after the festival ends.
Social media posts recently have mentioned that absentee ballots can be requested by calling the City of Milford. The post also listed the reasons someone is allowed to vote by absentee ballot in Milford. According to the State of Delaware Department of Elections rules on absentee ballots in municipal elections, there are specific reasons that allow someone to vote absentee. They include:
- Because such person is in the public service of the United States or of this State, or is a citizen of the United States temporarily residing outside the territorial limits of the United States and the District of Columbia, or such person’s spouse or dependents when residing with or accompanying the person, or is absent from this State because of illness or injury received while serving in the armed forces of the United States; or (
- Because such person is in the armed forces of the United States or the Merchant Marines of the United States, or attached to and serving with the armed forces of the United States in the American Red Cross or United Service Organizations; or
- Because of the nature of such person’s business or occupation, including the business or occupation of providing care to a parent, spouse or that person’s child who is living at home and requires constant care due to illness or injury; or
- Because such person is sick or physically disabled; or
- Because such person is absent from the municipality while on vacation; or
- Because such person is unable to vote at a certain time or on a certain day due to the tenets or teachings of that person’s religion.
“You do not need to prove it, provide documentation nor explain details,” the post read. “Just state a qualifying reason.”
The post then listed the phone number and email for the City Clerk. Although the city does not require proof of the reason an absentee ballot is requested, it is a violation of election laws to file a false statement in order to vote. If one of the election officials believes that the ballot is fraudulent, they can challenge the ballot. For example, if an election official comes across the name of a person who voted absentee, but they saw them at the festival, they could challenge the ballot, and it could be disqualified.
According to Delaware law, fraudulently making an entry on a ballot can be considered voter fraud. In addition, falsely claiming a reason to vote absentee can be considered perjury. A fraudulent entry on a ballot could lead to a fine of up to $200 and/or imprisonment for up to two years. The punishment if someone is found to have committed perjury is up to one year in prison and significant fines.
The Department of Elections strongly discourages voters from stating a false reason for needing an absentee ballot. Although many believe absentee ballots should not need a reason at all, the current law requires that certain circumstances exist in order to obtain a ballot.
