Currently Delaware permits new parties to get on the ballot as late as August of election years. In Delaware, only the Democratic and Republican Parties nominate by primary; all other parties nominate by convention. Last month the Delaware House passed HB 89, moving the Delaware primary for all office from September to April, but the bill did not alter the deadline for newly-qualifying parties to get on the ballot or otherwise affect minor parties.

However, on April 25, Delaware Senator Margaret Rose Henry (D-Wilmington), the Senate Majority Leader, filed an amendment to the bill. It would force newly-qualifying parties to qualify by March, and require all minor parties to choose their non-presidential nominees no later than April. The amendment has not received a vote.