Upcoming Elections
2010 Primary Election: September 14, 2010
2010 General Election: November 2, 2010
Polling Place Hours: 7am to 8pm
Click here to download a District of Columbia Frequently Asked Questions document created by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights under Law and its pro bono law firm partners.
Voter Registration Information
Click here for a District of Columbia Voter Registration Guide created by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and its pro bono law firm partners.
Registration Deadlines
Beginning with the September 14 Primary, DC voters can take advantage of same-day registration, which allows them to register to vote and cast a ballot on the same day.
Identification Required for Registration
Identification is not required for voters registering in person to vote in the District of Columbia, but voters who have not provided identification at the time of registration are required to do so at the polling place. If you are registering using same-day registration and casting a ballot at the polling place, you must bring acceptable identification.
How to Check Registration
Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE
Visit the District of Columbia's Board of Elections and Ethics website.
Voting Information
Identification Required to Vote
D.C. election law currently does not require voters to present identification except for certain first-time voters; Each individual who has not previously voted in a federal election in the District of Columbia and who registers to vote by mail shall present, either at the time of registration or at the polling place, or when voting by mail, a copy of a current and valid government photo identification or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, or pay check that shows the voter's name and address. This requirement does not apply to (A) individuals whose registration application includes a driver's license number or at least the last four digits of the individual's social security number, and matches an existing identification record bearing the same number, name, and date of birth as the application; or (B) individuals entitled to vote without being present at their precinct polling location, such as qualified voters residing overseas and members of the Armed Forces.
How to Find Your Polling Place
Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE
Visit the Polling Place locator on the District of Columbia's Board of Elections and Ethics website.
Absentee Voting
Click here to visit GoVoteAbsentee.org, a resource for absentee voters.
A registered voter may vote by absentee ballot, by mail or in person, for any of the following reasons:
- The voter is temporarily outside the territorial limits of DC;
- The voter is unable to vote at the regular polling place due to a permanent or temporary physical handicap, disability, or illness;
- The voter is confined in an institution for mental treatment within or outside DC, but not judicially declared incompetent;
- The voter is incarcerated in an institution, but not for conviction of a felony;
- The voter is a Board employee who is necessarily absent for the precinct of registration on Election Day;
- The voter resides outside the United States, and has registered to vote pursuant to the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, but only for candidates for federal offices;
- The voter expects to be absent from DC on Election Day;
- The voter expects to be hospitalized on Election Day; or
- The voter declares that personal religious tenets prevent the voter from voting on Election Day.
- Rules and Deadlines
- A registered voter may submit a written request for an absentee ballot. The request must be received no later than the 7th day before the election.
- 2010 Primary Election: September 7, 2010
- 2010 General Election: October 26, 2010
Click here to request an absentee ballot.
Early Voting
Through absentee voting.
Information For People who have Moved or Changed Addresses
Voters who have moved within DC must vote at the polling place of their new residence. If they were registered at their previous address, they may vote by special ballot at the polling place for their new residence, and establish identity and current residence at the time of voting.
Information for People with Felony Convictions
In DC, a voter who is released from incarceration for a felony has his/her right to vote automatically restored upon release from confinement. The individual must re-register to vote, however. Registration does not occur automatically upon release from confinement. Individuals who are confined for non-felony offenses may vote by absentee ballot.
For more information, go to the Board of Elections and Ethics website, or click here to download a District of Columbia Election Protection manual created by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights under Law and its pro bono law firm partners.
