Large Increase in Voter Turnout in 2025 Delaware School Board Elections: A Milestone for Public Education Engagement
In a powerful show of civic engagement, voter turnout in Delaware’s 2025 school board elections tripled compared to last year—marking the highest participation in recent memory for local education governance.
Preliminary data show that 16,039 Delawareans cast ballots in the May 2025 school board elections—an increase of over 10,000 voters from 2024, when only 5,681 people participated. This sharp rise reflects a growing public awareness of the critical role school boards play in shaping education policy, school resources, and student outcomes.
📊 School Board Voter Participation: 2024 vs. 2025
Trusted Messengers Made the Difference
“This surge in turnout demonstrates that more Delawareans are recognizing the critical role school boards play in shaping the future of our public education system,” said Julia Keleher, Executive Director of First State Educate. “For months, we worked with our visibility partners to help do our part in ensuring increased turnout in this school board election. We’re grateful to every organization that helped make these elections more visible and accessible. When trusted messengers lift up this work, it makes all the difference.”
Meet the 2025 Visibility Partners
First State Educate’s 2025 Visibility Partners—a coalition of Delaware businesses, nonprofits, media outlets, and civic leaders—were instrumental in spreading awareness, encouraging participation, and highlighting the importance of school board elections.
2025 Visibility Partners included:
New Castle County Chamber of Commerce, Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce, ACLU of Delaware, Delaware Today, First Ascent, Tapp Network, CSC, DE TV, Wohlsen Construction, Coalition for a Safer Delaware, Santora CPA, United Way of Delaware, James Spadola, Wilmington City Council, Indivisible, WDEL, ig Burton, Hook PR, Network Delaware, Delaware PTA, and Children & Families First.
📄 View the full list of 2025 school board forums and participating partners
Why School Board Elections Matter
Delaware’s school board elections are nonpartisan and held each May. These boards influence nearly every aspect of public education—from how schools are funded to how students are evaluated. They also shape teacher contracts, district strategy, and community partnerships.
When people understand what school boards do—and how much influence they have—they show up.
Media Coverage of the 2025 School Board Elections
Want to stay engaged? Explore: