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District of Columbia voter registration guide
District of Columbia voter registration deadlines
- Register to vote (online): 21 days before Election Day
- Register to vote (by mail): Received 21 days before Election Day
- Register to vote (in person): Election Day
Check your District of Columbia voter registration status
- If you can't remember if you're registered to vote, or you want to make sure your information is correct, you can check your District of Columbia registration using the District of Columbia voter registration lookup site.
- If you're not registered to vote, or you need to update your voter registration information, follow the instructions below.
District of Columbia voter registration rules
To register in the District of Columbia you must:
- be a citizen of the United States
- be a District of Columbia resident at least 30 days preceding the next election
- be 18 years old by Election Day (if you are 17, you may vote in a primary if you will turn 18 by the General Election)
- not have been judged legally incompetent by a court of law
- not claim the right to vote anywhere outside DC.
District of Columbia online voter registration
- You can register to vote online if you have a DC driver license, driver permit, or nondriver ID card.
- Visit the District of Columbia online voter registration site.
- Fill out all the required fields.
- You will be registered to vote as soon as you finish the workflow.
- You should receive your voter registration card in the mail within 2-3 weeks. If not, you might want to follow up with your local election office.
- The deadline to register to vote online is 21 days before Election Day .
District of Columbia by-mail voter registration
- Download 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 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: You must register with a party if you want to take part in that party’s primary election, caucus, or convention.
- Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank.
- Print, date, and sign the form. If you do not have a printer, you can print the form out at any local library. If you do not have a stamp, you can buy one from any grocery store: just ask the cashier to sell you one.
- Mail your voter registration form to the mailing address below. For faster delivery, send the form directly to your local election office.
- Your voter registration form must be received 21 days before Election Day .
District of Columbia in-person voter registration
- Contact your local election office to find where to register to vote in person.
- Bring your District of Columbia driver's license or state ID card with you. If you don't have one, bring ONE photo ID that shows your name, and ONE document that shows your name and District of Columbia address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, residential lease, or any government document that shows your name and address.
District of Columbia same day registration
- Summary: District of Columbia has same day registration. You can register and vote during the early voting period and on Election Day.
- Where to go:
Go to your designated voting location. Click here to find out where to vote.
- What to bring:
Bring your DC driver's license or ID card with you. If you don't have one, bring one photo ID issued by any state or Federal Government or one document that shows your name and current address. Acceptable documents include a recent utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, residential lease, or any government document that shows your name and address.
- Need help? Contact your local election office if you have questions.
Registering to vote in District of Columbia with a felony conviction
If you have been convicted of a felony and would like to register to vote, please visit Restore Your Vote. They will help you determine your eligibility and guide you through the process.
Local election office
Contact your local election office if you have questions.
Statewide election office
This is the statewide agency that is ultimately responsible for District of Columbia elections. You can contact them with questions, but your local election office will probably respond faster.
District of Columbia Board of Elections & Ethics 441 4th Street, NW, Suite 250 Washington, DC 20001‐2745
External resources
- District of Columbia online voter registration
- District of Columbia online absentee ballot request
- District of Columbia voter status lookup
- District of Columbia absentee ballot tracker
- District of Columbia provisional ballot tracker
- District of Columbia polling place locator
References
- District of Columbia early voting information
- District of Columbia absentee ballot information
- District of Columbia voter registration information
- District of Columbia voter ID information
- District of Columbia student voter information
- District of Columbia voting rights restoration for voters with felony convictions