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Nov 3
District of Columbia General Election

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This election guide is researched, written, and updated by Democracy Works, a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit organization, to inform voters via TurboVote and other partners. The information in these guides originates from official sources. The guides also link to authoritative state and local resources to provide additional information.

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Registration Summary

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.

Voting Summary

The District of Columbia mails a ballot to every registered voter a few weeks before the election. Keep an eye on the mailbox! Be sure to mail it back so that it is postmarked by Election Day, or drop it in a drop box before or on Election Day. You can also vote in person if you prefer to do so. The District of Columbia offers early voting.

9 days to Election Day!

  • Don't forget to vote and drop off your ballot! If you're an active registered voter, you should receive your ballot in the mail.
  • If you don't get your ballot, you can still vote in person on Election Day.
  • Visit the The District of Columbia website to find where to return your ballot or vote in person.

Register to Vote

Check that you're registered to vote on The District of Columbia's website.

How can I check the status of my mail ballot?

You can check the status of your ballot on The District of Columbia’s website.

How do election officials keep voting secure?

Election officials in your state and community are working hard to ensure the integrity of our elections. All states and The District of Columbia have implemented security measures to protect the vote.

Visit The District of Columbia Board of Elections website to learn more about election security. If you’re interested in getting involved with elections in your community, contact your local election office to learn about opportunities in your area.

How do I vote in person?

Where can I vote on Election Day?

You can look up where to vote on The District of Columbia's site.

Can I vote early?

  • Yes, early voting is offered in this election. You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
  • Learn more about voting early in The District of Columbia.
  • Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check The District of Columbia’s site to find where to vote early.

What do I need to bring?

If you've voted in DC before, you don't need to provide ID to vote.

If you're a first-time voter who registered by mail or online, and didn't provide proof of residence when registering, you may need to show proof of residence to vote. Acceptable forms include:
  • current and valid government-issued photo ID
  • current utility bill or cellular phone service bill issued within 90 days of Election Day
  • bank statement issued within 90 days of Election Day
  • government check issued within 90 days of Election Day
  • paycheck issued within 90 days of Election Day
  • current lease or rental agreement
  • university housing or tuition bill issued for the current academic or housing term
  • an occupancy statement from a District homeless shelter issued no earlier than 90 days before the election
  • another government document that shows your name and address

If you are unable to provide proof of residence or your eligibility to vote can't be determined when casting a ballot in person, you may be issued a special ballot. You have two days following the election to show proof of residence to the Board of Elections.

Can I register to vote online?

  • The District of Columbia offers online voter registration.
  • To register online in the District of Columbia online voter registration system, you must provide your District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles-issued ID number. If you do not have a DC DMV-issued ID, you must provide the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you have not been issued any of these numbers, check the box that indicates you do not have an ID number. If you are registering to vote in the District of Columbia for the first time and submit a voter registration application electronically, you may attach a copy of identification that shows your name and current address to the online form, or you may be required to show it the first time you vote in an election in the District of Columbia.
  • Visit the The District of Columbia Board of Elections website for more information about acceptable forms of proof of residence.

Can I vote early?

Yes, The District of Columbia offers early voting.
  • You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.

When can I vote early?

Where can I vote early?

What do I need to bring?

If you've voted in DC before, you don't need to provide ID to vote.

If you're a first-time voter who registered by mail or online, and didn't provide proof of residence when registering, you may need to show proof of residence to vote. Acceptable forms include:
  • current and valid government-issued photo ID
  • current utility bill or cellular phone service bill issued within 90 days of Election Day
  • bank statement issued within 90 days of Election Day
  • government check issued within 90 days of Election Day
  • paycheck issued within 90 days of Election Day
  • current lease or rental agreement
  • university housing or tuition bill issued for the current academic or housing term
  • an occupancy statement from a District homeless shelter issued no earlier than 90 days before the election
  • another government document that shows your name and address

If you are unable to provide proof of residence or your eligibility to vote can't be determined when casting a ballot in person, you may be issued a special ballot. You have two days following the election to show proof of residence to the Board of Elections.

Can I submit voter registration forms by mail?

Yes, you can submit your voter registration application by mail using the National Voter Registration Form or the The District of Columbia voter registration form.

Once you confirm that you’re eligible to vote, print your form and fill it out.

To complete the National Voter Registration Form, use these instructions to fill out the following fields:


Box 6 - ID Number:
To submit a voter registration application by mail in the District of Columbia, you must provide your District of Columbia driver's license number OR Department of Motor Vehicles (DC DMV)-issued ID number, if you have one. If you do not have either of these ID numbers, you must instead provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.

If you have not been issued any of these ID numbers, indicate this on the form.

Box 7 - Choice of Party: You are required to register with a party to participate in District of Columbia partisan primary elections. You should register with the party whose primary you would like to vote in. Beginning in 2028, you will not need to register with a party to participate in District of Columbia partisan primary elections.

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

If you are registering to vote for the first time in the District of Columbia and submit your registration application by mail, federal law requires you to provide a COPY of proof of identification with your application OR show acceptable documentation when you vote. Acceptable forms of identification include a current and valid photo ID OR a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address. More information about these requirements is available on the District of Columbia Board of Elections website.
  • You may be exempt from federal proof of identification requirements if you are entitled to vote by mail ballot under the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act or another federal law.
  • Depending on your state, you may need to show additional identification when you vote, even if you meet federal identification requirements.
Once you’ve filled out all required fields on the form you selected, sign the completed form and send it to your local election office.

How do I vote by mail?

The District of Columbia conducts elections primarily by mail. If you are an active registered voter, then you can expect to receive a ballot in the mail. It will be sent to the mailing address you used to register to vote.

What should I do if I don’t get my ballot?

If you don’t receive your ballot in the mail, then contact your local election office.

How do I return my ballot?

  • Read the instructions carefully on how to mark and return your ballot.
  • You can return your ballot by mail or use a mail ballot drop box. You can also return your mail ballot to any vote center during the early voting period or on Election Day.
  • Find a mail ballot drop box or vote center near you.
  • If you choose to return your ballot through the mail, be sure to mail your ballot at least one week before the deadline to ensure it's timely postmarked. Keep in mind that USPS might not postmark your mail on the day it's dropped off. You can also request a manual postmark at the counter of a USPS office. Find a USPS location near you.

If my election office finds an issue with my mail ballot after I return it, can I fix it?

In the District of Columbia, you may be able to correct issues with your signature after you return your ballot to your election office. This process is called ballot curing.

If you are concerned you made a mistake when filling out your ballot, contact the District of Columbia Board of Elections as soon as possible.


Contact your local election office for more information about ballot curing.

What do I need to do if I’ve moved?

What’s on your ballot depends on where you live, so your voter registration is tied to your exact address. If you’ve moved, you need to update your voter registration with your new address.

Can I register to vote on Election Day?

Yes, you can register at your voting location on Election Day.

Can I submit voter registration forms in person?

What are key deadlines for this election?

Do I need to bring an ID to vote in person?

If you've voted in DC before, you don't need to provide ID to vote.

If you're a first-time voter who registered by mail or online, and didn't provide proof of residence when registering, you may need to show proof of residence to vote. Acceptable forms include:
  • current and valid government-issued photo ID
  • current utility bill or cellular phone service bill issued within 90 days of Election Day
  • bank statement issued within 90 days of Election Day
  • government check issued within 90 days of Election Day
  • paycheck issued within 90 days of Election Day
  • current lease or rental agreement
  • university housing or tuition bill issued for the current academic or housing term
  • an occupancy statement from a District homeless shelter issued no earlier than 90 days before the election
  • another government document that shows your name and address

If you are unable to provide proof of residence or your eligibility to vote can't be determined when casting a ballot in person, you may be issued a special ballot. You have two days following the election to show proof of residence to the Board of Elections.

How do I see what's on my ballot?

View official ballot information on the The District of Columbia Board of Elections website, if available.

How do I get help registering to vote?

TurboVote can help you make your plan to vote. They can help you start the registration process, learn how to vote by mail, send you election reminders, and more.

Who can register to vote?

To register in the District of Columbia you must:
  • be a United States citizen (required to vote in federal elections. If you are District of Columbia resident and not a US citizen, you can vote in DC local elections)
  • 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 or the right to vote in another US state, territory or country
  • 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. You may vote in a general or special election if you are at least 18 years old.)
  • not have been found by a court to be legally incompetent to vote

How do I vote if I'm in the military or live overseas?

Active-duty military, their families, and overseas citizens can register to vote and request their absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA process is done by mail, but The District of Columbia may offer other options to request and return ballots. Please contact your local election office for more information about delivery and return methods, including email, fax, and online portals. To follow the FPCA process:
  1. Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or download a copy. Your local election office may have questions, so please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.
  2. Send the application to your local election office.
  3. It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.
  4. Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
  5. States and The District of Columbia begin mailing absentee ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven't received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your local election office.
If your ballot does not arrive after you submit your FPCA, contact your local election office first. Then:
  • You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign, and mail your FWAB to your local election office.
  • If you mail a FWAB and then receive your regular absentee ballot, you should complete and mail your absentee ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program offers additional information on military and overseas voting in The District of Columbia. You can also call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or email vote@fvap.gov

How can I check my voter registration status?

You can look up your voter registration record and verify that your information is correct using The District of Columbia's voter registration lookup tool.

How do I contact my election office?

Which election office should I contact?

  • The Board of Elections oversees elections and election administration in The District of Columbia. They can help you with questions about voting, local elections, election security, or issues you might have at the polls. If you have concerns about voter intimidation, reach out immediately.

Which election office should I contact?

  • The Board of Elections oversees elections and election administration in The District of Columbia. They can help you with questions about voting, local elections, election security, or issues you might have at the polls. If you have concerns about voter intimidation, reach out immediately.