Washington D.C.

Land Acknowledgement

D.C. is the historic home of the Anacostans (Nacotchtank), Piscataway and Pamunkey peoples.

Overview

You can register to vote by mail, online, in person, or by fax or email. The deadline to register to vote is October 18 by 4:45PM if registering online or by mail. The voter registration deadline in person is Election Day. You do not need to present an ID to vote in person, but it is recommended that you bring one.

Key Dates

October 18: Online and by mail voter registration deadline

October 25: Deadline to request a mail-in ballot if needed

October 31: Early voting begins

November 6: Early voting ends

November 8: Election day! November 8 is also the in-person voter registration deadline. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by this day.

November 15: Mail-in ballots must be received

Contacts

Contact your Board of Elections

Washington D.C. Voting Guide

Note: The information below is not legal advice on how to vote. Because voting information is changing rapidly during this election, make sure you check the links provided and check with your state about deadlines and voting specifics.

Registering to Vote

  • The voter registration deadline is October 18 by 4:45PM if registering online or by mail. The voter registration deadline in person is November 8.

  • No.

  • To register to vote, you must provide proof of residence that shows your name and current D.C. address. Find a full list of acceptable forms of proof of residence.

    If you are registering to vote for the first time in D.C. and register by mail or online, you must either include a copy of an identification document or bring a copy with you when you vote. Valid documents include a copy of:

    • current and valid government-issued photo ID

    • current utility bill

    • bank statement

    • government check

    • paycheck (less than 90 days old)

    • or any other government-issued document

  • D.C. requires a residential address. If you receive mail at another address, also include that mailing address on your application.

  • Call the Board of Elections to check if your address is valid.

  • You do not need a valid ID to register to vote. In section 8a of the voter registration application you can note that you do not have one. However, you can get a D.C. ID on this website.

  • Yes. You can register to vote online on this website.

  • Yes. You can register to vote by email or fax. Download the voter registration application and send your completed form to dcregistrations@dcboe.org or fax it to (202) 347-2648.

  • Yes. You can visit the D.C. voting office or any voter registration agency or at the polls on Election Day. Find directions to the Board of Elections office.

  • Yes. You can register to vote by mail. Download the voter registration application and send your completed form to:

    D.C. Board of Elections
    1015 Half Street, SE, Suite 750
    Washington, DC 20003

  • Yes. You can vote in Washington D.C. even if you are currently incarcerated.

  • Contact the Board of Elections with specific questions for registering to vote. Find their contact information.

  • The voter registration deadline if registering online or by mail is October 18. The voter registration deadline for in person registration is November 8.

  • Yes, under federal law you can assist someone in registering to vote if they do not speak English well, if they have trouble reading or writing, or if they have a disability.

Checking & Updating Voter Registration

  • You can check your voter registration online here.

  • You can call the Board of Elections to check your voter registration status. Find their contact information.

  • You can update your voter registration on this website.

  • You do not need to re-register to vote unless you have not voted in D.C. within the past 4 years. If that is the case, or if you have moved, changed your name, or wish to change your party affiliation, you must re-register to vote.

Voting by Mail/Absentee/Ballot Drop-Off

  • D.C. automatically mails ballots to all active registered voters. If you will be away from your D.C. address, the deadline to request a mail-in ballot is October 25. Ballots must be postmarked by November 8 and received by the Board of Elections no later than November 15.

  • Yes. Please check that you have filled out all required fields and signed your ballot. USPS recommends you mail in your ballot a week before the deadline to ensure your ballot is received on time. However, please factor in your personal experience with mail delivery times to and from your place of residence or where you drop off your ballot.

  • All active registered voters will be mailed a ballot. The only reason you have to request a ballot is if you are going to be away from your D.C. residence during the election. If that is the case, fill out this ballot request form.

  • No. However D.C. states that you should not request a mail-in ballot unless you will be away from your D.C. residence address during the election.

  • Yes.

  • There is no deadline to request a mail-in absentee ballot because D.C. sends ballots to all active registered voters. If you will be away from your D.C. address, the deadline to request a mail-in ballot is October 25.

  • D.C. does not specify the date they send out ballots, but they should be sent a few weeks before Election Day. However, if you have not received your mail-in ballot by November 3, D.C. recommends you plan to vote in person.

  • Your ballot will be sent to the address you indicated on your voter registration application. If you are requesting a mail-in ballot because you will be away from your residence, you can have your ballot sent to any address.

  • No.

  • Ballots must be postmarked by November 8 and received by the Board of Elections no later than November 15.

  • Yes. You can drop off your ballot to the Board of Elections. You can also drop your ballot off at a Drop Box.

    Find your closest Drop Box

  • Likely yes. D.C. does not have a specified rule on this. We will monitor and keep this page updated.

  • No. Ballots must be sent through USPS.

  • No.

  • Yes. Make sure you sign your ballot and follow the instructions on your ballot carefully, including not folding your ballot to fit it in the Secrecy Sleeve. If there is an issue with your signature, the Board of Elections will contact you.

  • Yes. You can track your ballot on this website.

  • Contact your Board of Elections with any issues about your mail-in ballot.

Voting In-Person

  • You can find an Election Day Vote Center on this website.

  • No.

  • Yes. Early voting is from October 31 through November 6. Find an early voting location.

  • You do not need to present ID or proof of residence to vote. It is recommended you bring a form of ID with you in case you need it. If this is your first time voting in D.C. and you did not provide proof of residence when registering, you will need to show proof of residence in order to cast a regular ballot. Acceptable forms of proof of residence must include your name and address and include:

    • valid D.C. DMV-issued ID

    • government check or paycheck

    • bank statement

    • current utility bill

    • student housing statement/tuition bill

    • homeless shelter occupancy statement

    • residential lease

    • other current government document that shows your name and address.

  • You do not need an ID to vote. However, you can learn how to get a D.C. ID on this website.

  • Yes.

  • Yes. Under federal law (Section 208 of the Voting Rights Act), you are entitled to bring anyone you trust, such as a friend, family member, or neighbor, to the polling place AND into the polling booth to assist with voting. However, that person may not be your employer, running in the election, or a representative of your labor union. The person giving assistance also may not tell the voter how to vote.

  • If you have any questions about voting in person, you can contact the Board of Elections. Find their contact information.