Important Dates and Election Info
Here are the key dates for voting in Washington, D.C.:
- Deadline to register to vote online or by mail: Tuesday, Oct. 15
- Deadline to request a mail-in ballot sent to a different address: Monday, Oct. 21
- Deadline to return a mail-in ballot by drop box or in person: Tuesday, Nov. 5, by 8 p.m.
- Early voting: Monday, Oct. 28, to Sunday, Nov. 3
- Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 5
Voting at a Glance
- Voter Registration: Register to vote online or by mail. Use the District’s online portal to check your registration status.
- Mail-in Voting: All active, registered voters will receive a no-excuse mail-in ballot.
- Early Voting: Cast your ballot early and in person from Monday, Oct. 28, to Sunday, Nov. 3, at vote centers throughout the city.
- Vote Centers: Find locations on the D.C. Board of Elections website.
Recent Changes to Voting in Washington, D.C.
There have been some important changes to voting in D.C.:
- Qualified non-citizen residents of D.C. can now vote in D.C. elections for local offices. Non-citizens cannot vote for federal offices.
For more information, visit the D.C. Board of Elections website for details on how to register to vote.
How to Register to Vote
- Online: Use the District’s online portal to register, check your registration status, or update your name, address, and party affiliation.
- By Mail: Download an application from the D.C. Board of Elections website, complete it, and mail it to the D.C. Board of Elections at 1015 Half St. SE, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20003.
- By Fax or Email: Fax your application to 202-347-2648, or email a scanned version or a picture of your application to [email protected].
- In Person: Pick up an application at the D.C. Board of Elections or at most D.C. public libraries. Mail it by Tuesday, Oct. 15, or deliver it in person to the D.C. Board of Elections office by Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Same-day registration is also available at early vote centers or on Election Day, Nov. 5. Bring proof of residence, such as your driver’s license, U.S. passport, or current utility bill.
Check Your Voter Registration Status
Check your registration status using the District’s online portal. You can also update your name, address, and party affiliation there.
How to Request a Mail-in Ballot
All registered voters will be mailed a no-excuse mail-in ballot. If you’ll be away from home during the election period, request a mail-in ballot be sent to a different address by Monday, Oct. 21. You can request a mail-in ballot in several ways:
- Online: Complete the mail-in ballot request application and submit it online.
- By Mail or Phone: Download and complete a mail-in ballot request application, sign it, and return it to the D.C. Board of Elections by mail or fax at 202-347-2648. You can also email your application as a scanned attachment to [email protected]. Call the D.C. Board of Elections at 202-727-2525 to request an application by mail.
- In Person: Request a mail-in ballot at the District’s Board of Elections office at 1015 Half St. SE, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20003.
Returning a Mail-in Ballot
Follow these steps to return your mail-in ballot:
- Place your completed ballot inside the secrecy sleeve, then place the sleeve in the postage-paid return envelope.
- Sign and date the voter’s oath on the back of the envelope.
You can return your ballot in three ways:
- By Mail: Mail your completed ballot. It must be postmarked by Tuesday, Nov. 5, and arrive at the D.C. Board of Elections office by Friday, Nov. 15.
- In Person: Return your ballot to a vote center by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
- Drop Box: Place your completed ballot in a drop box by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
If you’re a first-time voter who registered by mail or online, you must include a copy of an acceptable ID document with your ballot, such as a valid photo ID, utility bill, or government document with your name and address. Without this, your ballot will be treated as a special ballot and won’t be counted unless you submit the ID to the Board of Elections.
Use the D.C. Board of Elections’ online tracker to check the status of your ballot.
Voting in Person Before Election Day
Early voting for the general election runs from Monday, Oct. 28, through Sunday, Nov. 3. Early vote centers are open from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can find a list of early vote centers on the District’s Board of Elections website.
Voting at the Polls on Election Day
On Election Day, vote centers are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Search for your vote center on D.C.’s Board of Elections website.
Sample ballots will also be available on the D.C. Board of Elections website.
Voter ID Requirements on Election Day
Voter ID is only required for first-time voters who submitted a registration application without an acceptable ID document.
Voting with a Disability
If you need assistance, you can bring someone to the polls, but they cannot be your employer or a union representative.
Voters can also use accessible touchscreen voting equipment, such as the ExpressVote ballot marking system, which reads the ballot aloud and allows voters to use a touchscreen to mark it.
If you have trouble entering a voting center, you can vote from your car at all vote center locations.
Request an accessible mail-in ballot that you can complete online, print, and return electronically, by mail, or at a drop box. Learn more about the Accessible Remote Ballot Marking System on the D.C. Board of Elections website.
If you live in a nursing home or long-term care facility, you can vote in person or by using a mail-in or absentee ballot.
