Voting laws in Washington D.C.

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Each state has its own series of election laws. The separation of powers clause in the constitution has largely placed the responsibility for conducting on state governments. Each state has its own election law enforcement agencies, oftentimes part of the executive branch, sometimes a part of the state judiciary. The following are basic guidelines for voting in the District of Columbia. Note: Before taking any action, or if you have any questions, contact The District of Columbia board of ethics.

Polling Place Hours

Open: 7am to 8pm

Voter Registration Information

Registration Deadlines

Thirty days before the election.

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

How to Check Registration

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

Visit the Polling Place locater on the District of Columbia's Board of Elections and Ethics website.

Absentee Voting

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 (October 28, 2008).

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.

See also

Putting together a clean election
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