The upcoming election is a presidential primary. Learn About Presidential Primaries
Learn about all the options to vote in District of Columbia to make a plan to vote that works for you!
District of Columbia is a vote by mail state. This means that all registered voters will receive a mail-in ballot to the address on their voter registration. If you have moved you must update your registration.
District of Columbia Board of Elections Phone Number: (202) 727-2525
Whether you are registering to vote for the first time, or need to update your address, name or party affiliation - we've got you covered!
Not sure if you are eligible to vote due to a felony conviction?
Click here to learn more.
Request and track
Notice: Mail-in voting is a convenient and safe way to vote, but your ballot might not count if it’s submitted late or with errors. So follow the directions below on how to vote early or absentee and make your vote count in District of Columbia.
Voting by mail in Washington D.C. has a one step vote by mail process, meaning that all registered voters receive a ballot in the mail. Only voters who need their ballot mailed to a different address will need to request a ballot. The deadline for your application to be received is October 24th at 5 p.m.
After you complete your ballot, be sure to return ASAP!
Remember to sign your return ballot.
After completing your ballot, sign and date the voter's oath on the back of the return envelope where indicated. The board of elections will throw away your ballot if you forget to sign.
If you return your ballot by mail, your postage is prepaid.
You can also drop off your ballot in person at your local elections office, drop box, early voting locations, or polling place.
Any designated person can drop off a ballot for you.
Track your ballot by clicking here.
If you have an absentee ballot that you are not going to use, or you miss the deadline to return, you may go to your polling place and vote in person. You may be asked to use a provisional ballot. Additionally, if you received one, it is recommended that you safely discard or shred your mail in ballot.
District of Columbia does not offer voters a chance to address challenges to their ballot. Your ballot will not count if it is late, or you do not follow directions.
Voters in DC are not required to show ID at the polls, except for some first time voters who did not submit required ID information with their voter registration form.
Acceptable forms of ID include:
Enter your address below to see what you can expect on Election Day.
Primary Type (D): Open
Primary Type (R): Open
Only registered voters affiliated with a particular party may vote in the primary election. If you are not registered to vote, you can register and pick a party at your polling place on the day of the primary and vote in that party’s primary. However, if you have previously registered you cannot change or declare your affiliation on Election Day. Previously registered voters that would like to become unaffiliated or change party must do so by the party’s mail-by voter registration deadlines.
Your polling place hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Your state automatically registers people to vote at the address on their drivers license or other state issued ID card. If you have moved but have not updated your ID with your new address, changed your name or want to add a political party selection, you must update your voter registration. Click here to check to see if you are registered to vote, and update your registration if needed.
You can register to vote and cast your ballot on Election Day at your polling place or local elections office. Bring a valid ID and proof of residence with you.
You can return your mail-in ballot to your early voting site.
A list of early vote centers in Washington D.C. can be found here. You can register to vote at early vote centers.
Some states have laws that specifically allow citizens to preregister at a certain age while others allow registration as long as you’re 18 by the next election. Preregistration means you’ll be automatically registered to vote on your 18th birthday without taking any additional steps.
In District of Columbia, you can preregister to vote if you are 16. Register to vote today!
Some states even let you vote in their primaries at 17 if you’ll be 18 by the general election so you can participate in the whole process!
You can vote in the District of Columbia primaries if you are 17 by the next election.
