VOTER REGISTRATION

Registration Deadline: All voter registration applications and updates submitted online and by mail must be received by the Board by no later than the 21st day before the election in which you wish to vote. If you submit a voter registration application or update online or by mail and it is received after the 21st day before the election, your application will not be processed until after the election.

If you submit your application in person at the Board of Elections or another voter registration agency, your application should be received no later than the day before the start of the early voting period.

If you miss the deadline, you can same-day register at any Vote Center during the Early Voting period and on Election day.

Party Affiliation: To vote in a primary election in the District of Columbia, you must be registered to vote with the Democratic, Republican or D.C. Statehood Green Party. You must be registered with one of these parties on or before the 21st day before the primary election, unless you are registering for the first time when you vote. In that case, you may register with a party when you vote.

VOTER REGISTRATION QUALIFICATIONS

Age: Be at least 16 years old (District residents may preregister to vote at age 16, but will not receive a voter registration card or be eligible to vote until they are at least 17 with a date of birth indicating that they will be 18 on or before the next general election.)

Citizenship: Must be a United States citizen

Residency: Be a resident of the District of Columbia and not claim voting residence outside of the District of Columbia

Mental Competency: Must not be adjudged legally incompetent to vote

Felony Convictions: Not be in jail on a felony conviction

ID Requirements: To register by mail you must have either a Driver's license number or a DMV- issued ID number or a social security number. When registering for the first time by mail you will additionally need to include a copy of one of the following:

-A copy of a current and valid government photo identification;

-A copy of a current utility bill 

-A copy of a current bank statement

-A copy of a current government check

-A copy of a paycheck

-Other government document that shows the name and address of the voter

OBTAINING A VOTER REGISTRATION FORM

Online or by fax:  District of Columbia voter registration online application 

In-person: You can visit our office or any voter registration agency, or you may register and vote at the same time. 

VERIFYING YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION STATUS

Online: Registration status verification

Phone: If no voter registration card is received within three weeks of mailing this application, call (202) 727-2525 or contact District of Columbia Board of Elections.

ABSENTEE BALLOT QUALIFICATIONS

Who can vote absentee: Any registered voter may vote absentee without providing an excuse.

OBTAINING AN ABSENTEE BALLOT

The DC Board of Elections will be sending out a mail-in ballot to each registered voter ahead of the November election. 

To ensure that you receive your mail-in ballot at the correct address, check and/or update your voter registration. 

Military and overseas voting: Qualified overseas or military voters can receive their absentee ballot by filling out this form, and returning it no later than the 21st day before an election.

SUBMITTING AN ABSENTEE BALLOT

Location and time: Absentee ballot applications must be received by the Tuesday before Election Day. Voted absentee ballots must be received by Election Day. Here are instructions on how to fill out your mail-in ballot. 

There are 55 drop boxes throughout the District, and will be open to voters starting in October. Once mail ballot drop boxes open, voters will be able to return their voted mail-in ballots to any drop box location until 8:00 pm ET on Election Day. You can locate your drop box here.

EARLY VOTING

Early voting qualifications: Early voting is offered in DC, without additional registration or qualifications. Check with the DC Board of Elections and Ethics for locations and times for early voting.

VOTER ID

ID Requirements: Registered voters do not need to present proof of residence to vote, however, some polling places require ID to enter the facility. It is therefore encouraged that you take some form of identification with you to vote. 

If you will be registering during the early voting period or at the polls on Election Day, you will need to provide proof of residence in order to register and vote a special ballot. If you are a first-time voter who registered by mail and did not provide proof of residence when registering, you will need to show proof of residence in order to cast a regular ballot.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Deciding how to vote: https://votesmart.org

Polling Place: District of Columbia polling place locator

Problems with voting: District of Columbia HAVA plan. 

Voter Registration FAQ: FAQ

Verifying provisional ballot status: Same day registration provisional ballot status