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How to register to vote in The District of Columbia

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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.

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 have implemented security measures to protect the vote.

Visit the 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.

Registration Top Actions

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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 U.S. state, territory or country
  • be at least 17 years old (you may 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

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 and submit a voter registration application electronically, you may be required to provide identification that shows your name and current address the first time you vote in an election. You may attach a copy of your document 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. Acceptable forms include: current and valid government-issued photo ID; current utility bill, cell phone bill, bank statement, government check, or paycheck dated no more than 90 days before submitting your application if a copy is submitted online or 90 days before voting if shown at a voting location; any other government-issued document.

Can I submit voter registration forms by mail?

Use the National Voter Registration Form

  1. Print and fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
  2. 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. If you have not been issued any of these numbers you must indicate "None".
  3. 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.
  4. Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank. This information is not required.
  5. Review the "Who can register to vote?" section above and check that you're eligible.
  6. Sign the form.
  7. Send the completed form to your local election office.
  8. 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:
    • A 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.

Can I register to vote on Election Day?

The District of Columbia does offer in person registration during early voting and on Election Day. To register when you vote, you must provide proof of residence that shows your name and current District of Columbia address.

Can I submit voter registration forms in person?

Can I register to vote before I turn 18?

You can register to vote in the District of Columbia before you turn 18 if you:
  • are at least 16 years old
  • are 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)
  • are a resident of the District of Columbia for at least 30 days immediately before the election in which you vote
  • do not claim voting residence or the right to vote in another U.S. state, territory or country
  • have not been found by a court to be legally incompetent to vote

You must be 18 years old to vote in a general or special election. 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.

Can I complete a voter registration application in person before I turn 18?

Yes, you can learn more about registering to vote in person on the The District of Columbia Board of Elections website.
You can complete a voter registration application in person at any of the following public agencies in the District of Columbia:
  • District of Columbia Board of Elections office
  • any voter registration agency

If you are registering to vote in person, you are required to provide proof of residence that shows your name and current DC address.

Acceptable forms include:
  • copy of a current and valid government-issued photo identification
  • utility bill for water, gas, electricity, cable, internet, telephone or cellular phone service issued no earlier than 90 days before the election in which you plan to vote
  • savings, checking, credit, or money market account statement from a bank or credit union issued no earlier than 90 days before the election in which you plan to vote
  • government-issued document or check from a federal or District agency, other than the Board of Elections, issued no earlier than 90 days before the election in which you plan to vote
  • current residential lease or rental agreement
  • occupancy statement from a District homeless shelter issued no earlier than 90 days before the election in which you plan to vote
  • tuition or housing bill from a District of Columbia college or university issued for the current academic or housing term

Can I submit a voter registration application online before I turn 18?

Yes, you can register online on the The District of Columbia Board of Elections website.
To register using the District of Columbia online voter registration system, you are required to 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 be required to provide identification that shows your name and current address the first time you vote in an election. You may attach a copy of your document 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. Acceptable forms include:
  • current and valid government-issued photo ID
  • current utility bill, cell phone bill, bank statement, government check, or paycheck dated no more than 90 days before submitting your application if a copy is submitted online or 90 days before voting if shown at a voting location
  • any other government-issued document

Can I submit a voter registration application by mail before I turn 18?

Yes, you can register to vote by mail using this form.
When submitting your application by mail in the District of Columbia, you are required to 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, you may be required to provide identification that shows your name and current address the first time you vote in an election. Acceptable forms include:
  • current and valid government-issued photo ID
  • current utility bill, cell phone bill, bank statement, government check, or paycheck dated no more than 90 days before submitting your application if a copy is submitted online or 90 days before voting if shown at a voting location
  • any other government-issued document

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.

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.