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Register to Vote

The District of Columbia offers online voter registration. You can register by mail to vote in The District of Columbia by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer.

How do I contact my state election office?

Address:

  • Board of Elections

  • 1015 Half Street SE Suite 750

  • Washington, DC 20003

Phone Number:

  • (202) 727-2525

 

Can I register to vote online?

  • The District of Columbia offers online voter registration.

  • To register in DC, you must provide your DC DMV-issued identification number or if you do not have a DMV-issued identification number, the last four digits of your Social Security Number. If you are registering to vote in the District of Columbia for the first time, you must provide identification that shows your name and current address. You may attach a copy of your document to the online form, or you will be required to show it the first time you vote in an election in the District of Columbia.

 

Can I register to vote on Election Day?

  • The District of Columbia does offer in person registration on Election Day.

 

Can I submit voter registration forms in person?

Can I submit voter registration forms by mail?

  • Use the National Voter Registration Form

  • Print and fill out the National Voter Registration Form.

  • Box 6 - ID Number: Federal law now requires that all voter registration applications must include either the applicant's DC-issued driver's license number or the last four digits of the applicant's Social Security number in order to be processed.

  • Box 7 - Choice of Party: The District of Columbia requires that you register with a party to participate in partisan primary elections. You should register with the party whose primary you would like to vote in.

Register to Vote Continued

Can I submit voter registration forms by mail continued...

  • Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank. This information is not required.

  • Review the "Who can vote?" section above and check that you're eligible.

  • Sign the form.

  • Send the completed form to your local election office

  • If you are registering to vote for the first time in your jurisdiction and are mailing this registration application, Federal law requires you to show proof of identification the first time you vote. Proof of identification includes:

    • Current and valid photo identification or

    • A current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or government document that shows your name and address.

    • More information here.

How to Check Your Registration

  • Be a citizen of the United States;

  • Be a resident of the District of Columbia for at least 30 days prior to the election in which you intend to vote;

  • Not claim voting residence outside of D.C.

  • Be at least 16 years old (You may pre-register to vote if you are at least 16 years old. You may vote in a primary election if you are at least 17 years old and you will be at least 18 years old by the next general election.); 

  • Not have been found by a court to be legally incompetent to vote.

 

Note: All eligible voters, including those with criminal records, may vote. If you are incarcerated, regardless of the offense, you are able to vote. If you are under court supervision or residing at a halfway house after release, you are able to vote. Find more information, including appropriate addresses to use at https://www.dcboe.org/Voters/How-to-Vote/FAQ%E2%80%99s-for-Incarcerated-Voters-Returning-Citizens.

What You Need to Vote

You are eligible to vote in District of Columbia if you:

  • Are a U.S citizen

  • Are a resident of District of Columbia

  • Are at least 18 years old by Election Day

  • You must live in district at least 30 days to be eligible to vote. You may vote in a primary at age 17 if you will be 18 by the date of the General Election

 

You are NOT eligible to vote in District of Columbia if:

  • You have been legally declared “mentally incompetent” by a court

  • You are registered to vote in another state

  • After a 2020 change, people who are incarcerated for any reason can now always vote in Washington, D.C.

 

You may preregister to vote in District of Columbia:

  • At the age 16

Key Dates & Deadlines

What are key deadlines for the November 2022 election?

  • Registration deadlines

    • In-person at voting location on Election Day: Nov 8

    • Online: Oct 18

    • By mail (received by): Oct 18

  • Voting deadlines

    • Early voting: Oct 31 - Nov 6

    • Return ballot by mail (postmarked by): Nov 8

    • Return ballot in person: Nov 8

How to Vote

If You Want to Vote Absentee, requests may be made:

  • In-Person

  • By Mail

  • By Fax

  • By Email

  • Online

 

Absentee Ballots may be returned:

  • In-Person

  • By Mail

 

District of Columbia General Election

Ballot Request:

  • Mon Oct 24, 2022

 

Ballot Return:

  • Postmarked by Tue Nov 8, 2022, 8:00PM EST

  • Post received by Tue Nov 15, 2022

 

Early Voting:

  • Early Voting from Fri Oct 28, 2022, 8:30AM EDT to Mon Nov 7, 2022, 7:00PM EST

 

If You Want to Vote Early: 

  • For the June 21, 2022 Primary Election, the early voting period is between Friday, June 10, 2022, and Sunday, June 19, 2022, from 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

  • For a list of Early Vote Center locations and times, visit https://earlyvoting.dcboe.org/.

 

If You Want to Vote Absentee:

How to Vote continued

​

  • Your voted and mailed ballot must be postmarked or otherwise demonstrated to have been sent on or before Election Day. Mailed ballots must arrive no later than the 7th day after Election Day. For the June 21, 2022, primary election, this is June 28, 2022. Ballots must be placed in a Mail Ballot Drop Box or dropped off in person at a voting center by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.

  • You can track your absentee ballot by visiting https://www.dcboe.org/Voters/Absentee-Voting/Track-Absentee-Ballot.

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

General Election - November 8, 2022

Election Day Registration is available. Voting Methods:

  • Overseas Absentee Voting

  • Election Day (Same Day) Voter Registration

  • Early Voting

  • Provisional Voting

  • Military Absentee Voting

  • Absentee Voting Without Excuse

  • Polling Place Voting

 

Have questions or need more information? Call 1-855-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683)

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