Last updated 9/12/2020
Board of Elections / Vote Safe DC
Absentee ballot: You do not need to request an absentee ballot. All voters will receive a mail-in ballot at their registered address beginning the first week in October. Click here for: Absentee ballot info
Online Registration:
Complete and submit a voter registration form online or download the free mobile app, Vote4DC, at least 21 days before an election. Vote4DC is available on iOS and Android devices.
By mail:
Print, fill out, and sign a Voter Registration Application or find one at designated locations such as DCBOE, public libraries, Metropolitan Police Department precincts, or fire stations.
If you are registering to vote in the District of Columbia for the first time and decide to submit your application by mail, make sure to include a photocopy of a CURRENT proof of residence. Acceptable proofs of residence include:
*The issue, bill, or statement date must be within 90 days of Election Day
Your application must be received by DCBOE at least 21 days before Election Day.
In-person
DC offers Same-Day Registration at Early Voting Centers and at the polls on Election Day. Bring an acceptable proof of address (listed above) when you go to vote OR visit DCBOE, DC DMV locations, or one of the following National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) agencies in the District to register or update your voter registration until Early Voting begins:
Voter registration forms are also available at Armed Forces recruitment offices and local universities and colleges.
Visit www.dcboe.org and click "confirm your voter registration." You can also call our offices at (202) 727-2525, Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-4:45 pm.
Any registered voter may cancel their registration by completing and signing the Request to Cancel Voter Registration form, and returning it by mail or in person to the District of Columbia Board of Elections at 1015 Half St SE, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20003.
ll 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.
You can also complete the entire registration process electronically on your mobile device (smart phone or tablet) by downloading and using the mobile application, Vote 4 DC, and signing your application on your device screen with your fingertip or a stylus.
You can register by mail or in person at:
November 3, 2020 general election
ll 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.
D.C. offers “no excuse” absentee voting. Please contact the Board during each election season to find out the deadline to request your Absentee Ballot. All ballots must be received by DCBOE by 8:00 pm on Election Day. Ballots can be mailed or delivered in-person to DCBOE offices, dropped off at any Early Voting Center until the published deadline, or dropped off at any polling place on Election Day. To request an Absentee Ballot, download, print, sign, and mail an Absentee Ballot Application to the Board.
In D.C. you must vote at your designated polling place.
If you vote during Early Voting, you may vote at any Early Voting Center and you will be able to cast a live (regular) ballot for your precinct (if otherwise qualified).
You are assigned a polling place based on home address. List of polling places
Many organizations offer free rides to polling places. Some of these include:
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.
Jurisdiction |
Offices/Measures That May Appear on the Ballotsource: https://www.dcboe.org/dcboe/media/PDFFiles/Elected-Officals-List-10-30-19.pdf |
Federal |
President/Vice-President (elected every four years; next election in 2020) Delegate to the U.S. Representatives
|
Ward Members |
At-large Member of the Council of the District of Columbia Ward Member of the Council of the District of Columbia (Wards 2, 4, 7, & 8) |
Municipal |
District of Columbia State Board of Education Mayor of the District of Columbia Attorney General for the District of Columbia Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners
|
June 2, 2020: primary election
November 3, 2020: general election
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.
More information on voting in D.C.
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.
Contact the U.S. Department of Justice Election through its Report Site.
Utilize the Department of Elections website
The D.C. Office of Campaign Finance covers regulation, enforcement, services and more.
1-866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)
1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (en Español)
1-888-API-VOTE (Asian multilingual assistance)
Find useful voter information including:
Librarians from the Government Documents Round Table (GODORT), a Round Table of the American Library Association (ALA), created these reference guides. These guides are intended for informational purposes only and are not in any way intended to be legal advice.
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