Voting & Elections Toolkits

1. ONLINE Here

2. BY MAIL, E-MAIL, or FAX, downloading the Voter Registration Application and following these steps:

• STEP 1 Open and print the Mail in Voter Registration Application 
• STEP 2 Complete fields 1 to 13.
• STEP 3 Sign the form.
• STEP 4 Submit the form by mail (postage prepaid), fax, or just take a picture with your cell phone and send it by email.
  • By mail or in person at D.C. Board of Elections, 1015 Half Street, SE, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20003
  • By email (scanned as an attachment) at DCRegistrations@dcboe.org
  • By fax at (202) 347-2648 

3. IN-PERSON, visiting our office or any voter registration agency, or you may register and vote at the same time (Same Day Registration):

If the deadlines for the receipt of voter registration applications and updates submitted online, by mail, or in person at the Board of Elections or another voter registration agency have passed, you can still register during early voting or on Election Day. To register when you vote, you must provide proof of residence that shows your name and current District of Columbia address. Acceptable forms of proof of residence include: 

• A copy of a current and valid government-issued photo identification
• A utility bill for water, gas, electricity, cable, internet, telephone, or cellular phone service issued no earlier than 90 days before the election
• A savings, checking, credit, or money market account statement from a bank or credit union issued no earlier than 90 days before the election
• A paycheck, stub, or earning statement that includes the employer’s name, address, and telephone number and was issued no earlier than 90 days before the election
• A government-issued document or check from a federal or District agency, other than the Board of Elections, issued no earlier than 90 days before the election
• A current residential lease or rental agreement
• An occupancy statement from a District homeless shelter issued no earlier than 90 days before the election
• A tuition or housing bill from a District of Columbia college or university issued for the current academic or housing term

Already registered? Check your voter registration status here. 

Check your voter registration status here. 

If you are registering to vote in the District of Columbia for the first time and you submit your application by mail or online, you must either include a copy of one of the following documents with your application or present a copy of the document the first time you vote: 

• A copy of a current and valid government-issued photo identification
• A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, or paycheck (dated no earlier than 90 days before the date upon which you mail your application or, if you do not submit proof by mail or online, 90 days before the date you vote)
• Any other government-issued document

Where to get an ID

Get your Real I.D and information on obtaining a D.C. driver's license

DMV home page

Mail-In Ballot Request

All active registered voters will be mailed a ballot for the 2022 elections. However, DC voters who expect to be away from their DC residence during the election must request a Mail-In Ballot: Mail-In Ballot Request Form

You DO NOT have to request a Mail-In Ballot unless you will be away from your DC residence during the election.

Requests for Mail-in-Ballots must be received no later than the 15^th day before each election. 
 
You will receive your ballot by mail. Instructions on how to vote and return your ballot will be included along with your ballot. Your voted and mailed ballot must be postmarked or otherwise demonstrated to have been sent on or before Election Day, and must arrive no later than the 7^th day after Election Day. 
 
You can track the status of your Mail-In Ballot here. If you are concerned that you may not be able to receive or cast your ballot in time for it to be counted, please contact the D.C. Board of Elections at 202.727.2525.

Find out where to vote HERE

Find a list of voting Centers: HERE

Rides to the polls

Many organizations offer free rides to polling places. Some of these include:

• Lyft provides free or discounted rides in some underserved communities
• Political parties sometimes arrange rides for voters. Contact the local office:
  • Republican Party
  • Democratic Party
  • The Independent Party of D.C.

Help for voters with disabilities

More information for voters with disabilities.

DCBOE provides numerous voting options for senior citizens and people with disabilities. On Election Day, senior citizens and people with disabilities can vote in-person at their assigned polling place, where Voter Assistance Clerks will be present to help. In addition to in-person voting, DCBOE offers curbside voting, early voting, absentee voting, and a change of polling place.

Accessibility statement

Ballots

Where to get more info on candidates

• June 2, 2020 Primary Election
• November 3, 2020 General Election

Latest news updates (via Twitter)

Who are the candidates, and what else is on the ballot?

Draft calendars and ballot information

Key Dates and Deadlines

• DCBOE begins sending mail-in ballots to all registered voters: October 3, 2022
• Mail Ballot Drop Boxes open: October 14, 2022
• Deadline for receipt of all voter registration applications: October 18, 2022
• Deadline to request Absentee Ballot*: October 24, 2022
• Deadline for UOCAVA voters to request an Absentee Ballot: November 5, 2022
• Early Voting period: October 31 to November 6, 2022
• General Election Day: November 8, 2022
• Deadline for DCBOE to receive voted Absentee Ballots: November 15, 2022

*Given that DCBOE is mailing all registered DC voters a mail-in ballot, you do NOT need to request an Absentee Ballot unless you will be away from your DC residence during the 2022 Primary Election.

Who conducts elections?

The District of Columbia Board of Elections (DCBOE) is the independent agency of the District government responsible for the administration of elections, ballot access, and voter registration. DCBOE consists of three active Board members, an Executive Director, a General Counsel, and a number of support staff who run the day-to-day operations of the Agency.

Voter Bill of Rights

Right to Vote

The Constitution, until amended or until DC becomes a state or part of a state, gives Congress exclusive legislative authority over DC in Article I, Section 8, Clause 17. Over DC's 200-year history, Congress has passed laws to modify the local governance structure numerous times. In 1973, Congress granted DC limited Home Rule authority. Congress oversees DC through four Congressional subcommittees, four committees, the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the President. Congress not only reviews and can modify DC's local budget, but it can also annul any law it does not agree with. Therefore, DC does not have true local self-government. In addition, the President appoints DC's local judges and is in charge of DC's court and prison system. The federal government prosecutes most crimes, not DC. DC has been denied these Constitutional rights which are guaranteed to citizens living in states: equal representation in the Senate under the 17th Amendment and House of Representatives under Article 1, the right to a republican form of government under Article 4, the right to all powers and privileges under the 9th and 10th amendments, and equal protection under the 14th Amendment. DC citizens were prohibited from voting in Presidential elections until the 23rd amendment to the Constitutional was ratified in 1961. They have never been permitted full voting rights in Congress.

Where to go with complaints about candidates or how elections are conducted

Contact the  U.S. Department of Justice Election through its Report Site.

Utilize the Department of Elections website

Campaign finance

The D.C. Office of Campaign Finance covers regulation, enforcement, services and more.

Contact your current D.C. elected officials HERE