DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Requirements to vote:

• 18 years old on or by Election Day.

• US citizen.

• Resident of D.C. for 30 days before Election Day.

• Not be incarcerated for a felony.

  • You may register and vote if you are incarcerated for a misdemeanor or if you are in jail awaiting trial for a felony offense. Once you are released your voting rights will be automatically restored. 

How do I register?

• In the District of Columbia, you can register to vote online, via mail, or in person.

• To register online, go to https://www.vote4dc.com/ApplyInstructions/Register. You must have a current and valid DMV issued identification

  • The deadline to register is 21 days before a primary or general election.

• To register via mail, fill out this form: https://www.dcboe.org/dcboe/media/PDFFiles/Mail_VRForm_eng.pdf. 

  • The deadline to register is 21 days before a primary or general election. Your form must be postmarked by that date. 

• To register in person, find same-day registration at early voting centers and at polls on election day. Click here to find Early Voting Centers and here to find polling places. Forms are also available at Armed Forces recruitment offices, universities and colleges.

• If this is your first time registering to vote, you must include proof of residency, such as  a current and valid DMV issued ID, government check, paycheck, bank statement, utility bill, student housing statement, tuition bill, homeless shelter occupancy statement, or current lease.

• You do not need to be affiliated with a party to vote in a general election. In order to vote in a primary election, you must be a registered member of a party.

Can I pre-register?

• You may pre-register at 16 years old if you’ll be 18 by Election Day.