District of Columbia Voting Guide

Despite lacking full Congressional representation, registered D.C. voters participate in federal presidential elections and elect local officials. Local voting processes are similar to those in other parts of the country. This guide covers what you need to know, including:

• Your eligibility to vote, including rules for noncitizen residents and incarcerated D.C. residents
• Who is not eligible to vote
• Your rights as a D.C. voter
• Voter registration
• Absentee ballots
• How to find your polling place
• What to bring to the polls
• Accommodations
• What to do if you see illegal activity at the polls

If you believe your voting rights have been violated, consider consulting an experienced civil rights attorney.

Voting in Washington, D.C.

Although D.C. residents lack Congressional representation, they can vote in federal presidential elections. The winning candidate receives three electoral votes. D.C. residents also vote in local elections for the following offices:

• Mayor
• Attorney General
• D.C. Council
• D.C. Board of Education
• Ballot measures and initiatives, like D.C. statehood

D.C. residents vote to send a delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives, but it’s not a voting member.

Am I Eligible To Vote In Washington, D.C.?

You are eligible to vote in Washington, D.C., if you:

• Are a citizen of the United States of America
• Have been a resident of the District of Columbia for at least 30 days before Election Day, which includes incarcerated D.C. residents
• Are at least 18 years of age on Election Day

If you meet the eligibility requirements, you may pre-register to vote at 16 and will be automatically registered when you turn 18. You may vote in primary elections at 17 if you will turn 18 years old by the general election.

Incarcerated D.C. Residents

Incarcerated D.C. residents may still be eligible to vote. To qualify, you must be a U.S. citizen, have lived in D.C. for at least 30 days before incarceration, not have been declared incapable of voting by a court, and not claim voting rights in another state or territory.

The D.C. Board of Elections distributes voter registration materials to D.C. residents in both D.C. Department of Corrections and federal Bureau of Prisons facilities. If you are incarcerated at D.C. Jail, you may vote by mail-in ballot or in person, with same-day registration available on election days. If you are held at a federal Bureau of Prisons facility and have already registered, they will deliver your ballot by legal mail. You have to return it postmarked on or before Election Day. The District of Columbia Board of Elections must receive it within 10 days after the election.

If you transfer to another facility or are released, you must notify the Board of Elections in writing of your new location. To confirm receipt of your registration form or ballot, call the Board at 202-727-2525. Federal inmates may also contact outreachspecialist@dcboe.org through Corrlinks.

Noncitizen Residents

Noncitizen residents may be eligible to vote in certain D.C. elections. The Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022 (LRVRAA) allows lawful permanent residents and some other noncitizens to register and vote in local elections if they have lived in D.C. for more than 29 days before the election and are at least 18 years old. Eligible local elections include races for Mayor, Attorney General, D.C. Council, State Board of Education, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners, and local ballot measures.

Federal law still prohibits noncitizens from voting in federal elections. The LRVRAA applies only to local elections.

Ongoing Legal and Legislative Challenges on LRVRAA

The LRVRAA faces ongoing legal and legislative challenges. In Hall v. D.C. Board of Elections, D.C. citizen-voters sued, arguing that allowing noncitizens to participate in local elections would “reduce the voting power of each U.S. citizen voter in local elections.”

A federal district court dismissed the case for lack of standing, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit reversed this decision in June 2025, finding the vote-dilution theory sufficient for standing and remanding the case. The constitutional issue remains unresolved.

Separately, the House passed H.R. 884 on June 10, 2025, to repeal the LRVRAA. As of this writing, the bill is with the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, awaiting further action. Because the law’s status may change, noncitizen residents should confirm eligibility with the D.C. Board of Elections before registering or voting.

Who Is Not Eligible To Vote in D.C.

Not all D.C. residents are eligible to vote. You cannot vote in D.C. if either of the following applies to you.

• A court has declared you legally incompetent to vote: D.C. law disqualifies anyone a court has found to be legally incompetent to vote. Having a guardian or a cognitive disability alone does not take away your right to vote. Only a court order declaring you legally incompetent does.
• You claim voting rights elsewhere: D.C. law requires voters to maintain exclusive voting residence in the District. If you are registered to vote in another state, territory, or country, you must cancel that registration before voting in D.C.

It’s always a good idea to check your voting status at least a month before any election you plan on voting in.

When Is Washington, D.C.’s Voter Registration Deadline?

Online/By Mail: If you are registering to vote by mail, the Board of Elections must receive your voter registration application at least 21 days before the election.

In-person: If you submit your application in person, you must do so by the day before the start of the early voting period. The exact start of the early voting period changes relate to each election, but you can find that information on the D.C. Board of Elections website.

What Are Your Rights as a D.C. Voter?

D.C. voters are protected by both federal and local law. Here are some key rights to remember.

• The right to a confidential vote: You are entitled to mark your ballot free from observation or outside pressure. No candidate representative, fellow voter, or poll worker may watch your selections or try to influence your choices while you vote.
• The right to a replacement ballot: If you make a mistake before submitting your ballot, notify an election worker. They will cancel the flawed ballot and issue a new one. You may use up to three ballots, including the original.
• The right to a provisional ballot: If your poll workers question your registration at the polls, for example, if your name does not appear on the rolls or they challenge your eligibility to vote, you may request a special ballot, also known as a provisional ballot. The Board will set it aside and review it after voting closes. If you need to provide additional information to have it counted, you have two days to submit it to the Board.
• The right to finish voting if polls close: If you are in line before polls close, you may stay and complete your ballot, regardless of how long that takes. Don’t leave without casting your vote.
• The right to assistance: You may bring a relative, friend, or neighbor to help you vote, provided they are not your employer, an election observer, or a union representative. Trained poll workers are also available at every vote center.
• The right to vote at any location in the city: D.C. does not assign voters to a specific polling place. You may cast your ballot at any vote center in the city during early voting or on Election Day.
• The right to appeal: If the Board decides not to count your special ballot, you may appeal that decision by calling the Office of the General Counsel at (202) 727-2194 to schedule a hearing. You can find information on special ballots about how to find out whether your vote will be counted and how to appeal.

Don’t let anyone deny you from your right to vote.

Requesting an Absentee Ballot in Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C., allows for no-excuse absentee voting. If you prefer to vote via absentee ballot, you can request that the Board of Elections send you one. Although any written and signed request will work, the D.C. Board of Elections has an absentee ballot request form you can fill out and submit by mail, email, fax, or in person.

If you request an absentee ballot, the Board of Elections must receive it at least seven days before Election Day. In addition, your ballot must be postmarked by Election Day. You can track your absentee ballot via the track your absentee ballot page of the D.C. Board of Elections website.

What Do I Need To Bring to the Polls in Washington, D.C.?

If you are already registered to vote in Washington, D.C., you are not required to bring anything to the polls on Election Day. However, some polling places require voters to show some form of photo identification to enter the polling place. As a general rule, bringing some form of ID with you to your polling place is wise. Some examples of acceptable IDs include:

• A valid driver’s license
• Current utility bill
• U.S. passport
• Bank statement

If you use a bill or bank statement as ID, ensure the date is within 90 days of Election Day.

For same-day registration, you must bring acceptable proof of residence. Some examples of acceptable proof of residence include

• Current District of Columbia ID
• Current utility bill
• Bank statement
• Tuition bill
• Government document

If there’s an issue with your registration, make sure to cast a provisional ballot.

Special Accommodations for D.C. Voters

Disabled and elderly voters have several options for casting their ballot in Washington D.C. elections. In addition to the usual absentee voting, you can also vote early at an Early Voting Center or have your ballot transferred to a polling place that can accommodate your disability. If your age or disability prevents you from entering your polling place, you may be able to cast your ballot from your vehicle with the assistance of polling place workers.

What Do I Do if I See Something Illegal at the Polls?

D.C. voters are protected under both federal and local election laws. Knowing what is and is not allowed can help you recognize a problem and respond appropriately.

What Is Not Allowed Near Polling Places?

Under D.C. Code, no one may canvass, electioneer, circulate petitions, post campaign materials, or engage in any activity that disrupts an election inside a polling place or within 50 feet of its entrance or exit. This includes displaying campaign signs, handing out literature, and approaching voters to advocate for or against any candidate or ballot measure. Violations can result in a fine of up to $500, up to 30 days in jail, or both.

D.C. does not have a specific law banning campaign-related clothing. Election officials advise voters to avoid wearing items that could constitute electioneering inside the 50-foot restricted zone.

Federal law also prohibits voter intimidation. This covers any conduct designed to coerce, threaten, or pressure voters in connection with a federal election.

Who Is Allowed at the Polls?

Only authorized individuals may be present inside a vote center. This includes registered voters casting their ballots, poll workers, and credentialed poll watchers. Candidates or groups of candidates may petition the Board for credentials authorizing watchers during voting hours and until the count is completed. Poll watchers may observe the process but may not interfere with or speak to voters.

The following individuals are not permitted inside a polling place:

• Unauthorized law enforcement: Officers of the Army or Navy, or any other person serving in the civil, military, or naval service, have no authority to enter a polling place. It is a federal crime punishable by up to five years in prison. These officers are only allowed at polling locations if it is necessary to repel armed enemies of the United States. At present, there is no federal law that clearly bans ICE or other federal immigration agents from being within 100 feet of a polling place. However, any enforcement that interferes with voting, intimidates voters, or blocks access to the polls breaks federal voter intimidation laws and the ban on armed federal personnel at election sites under. If you think law enforcement is intimidating voters or blocking access, report it to the Vote Center Coordinator right away and contact the DOJ Civil Rights Division at (800) 253-3931.
• Campaigners and party representatives: Individuals who are not registered voters, credentialed poll watchers, or authorized election workers cannot enter or stay in a vote center.

Don’t confront possible violaters yourself. Let an election official know.

What To Do if Something Seems Off

If you witness or experience conduct that seems inappropriate or illegal, start by alerting the site coordinator, also referred to as the Vote Center Coordinator. They are responsible for maintaining order at each D.C. vote center. However, if the issue is unresolved, you can also:

• Contact the D.C. Board of Elections at (202) 727-2525
• Contact the D.C. Office of the Attorney General, which can investigate civil violations of D.C. election law and bring civil enforcement actions (criminal prosecution of adult election law violations in D.C. falls primarily under the authority of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, not the OAG)
• Contact the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section at (800) 253-3931, which handles federal violations, including voter intimidation and interference
• Contact the nonpartisan Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683) for immediate assistance

It is also helpful to document what you witnessed, including the time, location, and a description of those involved, to support a formal complaint.

Get Legal Help Voting in D.C.

You have a right to vote. If you believe your voting rights have been unjustly limited, you should speak to a civil rights attorney who specializes in voting rights. They are experts in this area of the law and can give you sound legal advice. Speak to an experienced civil rights attorney today.