DC Absentee Voter Guide

Military and overseas voters should check out the Overseas Vote Foundation.  Long Distance Voter's forms and deadlines should only be used by voters with US mailing addresses.

Mail-in Deadlines

Voter Registration

To register to vote in Washington DC you must:

• be a citizen of the United States
• be a District of Columbia resident at least 30 days preceding the next election
• be at least 18 years old on or before the next election
• not be in jail for a felony conviction
• not have been judged “mentally incompetent” by a court of law
• not claim the right to vote anywhere outside D.C.

How to register to vote:

• Recommended: Use our Voter Registration Widget.  Enter your information, print and sign the completed form, and mail it to the address printed on the form.  
• You can also use the District of Columbia voter registration form.  Mail the form to the DC Board of Elections and Ethics (the address is on the form). 

ID requirements for first-time voters:

If you are registering for the first time in the District of Columbia, and you register by mail, you must proof of your identity when you register, or when you vote for the first time in person or by absentee ballot.  Acceptable forms of ID include: a copy of a current driver’s license or other photo identification which shows your name OR a copy of a utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document which shows your name and address.

Voter registration verification:

You should receive written verification that your voter registration was processed within 2-3 weeks. If you don't - or if you can't remember if you're registered to vote - you can verify your voter registration here.

Absentee Voting

You may vote by absentee ballot if:

• you will be outside of the District of Columbia on Election Day
• you will be hospitalized on Election Day
• you have a physical handicap or disability
• you have a temporary or permanent illness
• you have been sequestered for jury duty
• you are incarcerated, but NOT on a felony conviction
• you are confined to an institution, but have not been judicially declared incompetent
• you are a uniformed or overseas citizen
• you are a member of the Board of Elections

How to apply for an absentee ballot: 

You can apply for your absentee ballot online at the DC Board of Elections and Ethics website.  This seems like it would be the fastest way to get your absentee ballot. 

You can download and complete the DC absentee ballot application. Mail your completed application to the DC Board of Elections and Ethics.  The Board of Ethics will process your application and mail your absentee ballot to you.

ID requirements for absentee voters:

You do not need to provide ID if you have already voted in DC at least once.  If you are voting for the first time in D.C. and you registered to vote by mail, you must include a copy of your ID with your absentee ballot application (you don't need to do this if you provided ID with your voter registration form).  Acceptable forms of ID include: a copy of a current driver’s license or other photo identification which shows your name and address OR or a copy of a utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document which shows your name and address.

Emergency absentee ballots:

If you are unable to appear in person at the polls on Election Day or at the Board of Elections office prior to the Election due to a physical incapacity resulting from illness which occurred after the deadline for requesting an absentee ballot by mail (7 days prior to the election), you can request an emergency absentee ballot.  Complete the the DC Application for Emergency Absentee Ballot, and mail your application to the DC Board of Elections and Ethics.  You can also designate a representative to deliver your application and pick up your ballot for you.

Absentee ballot instructions:

The DC Board of Elections and Ethics will mail you an absentee ballot and a return envelope. Fill out your ballot, sign where indicated, put a stamp on it, and then mail your absentee ballot back to the DC Board of Elections and Ethics.  That's it!  You're done.

Additional Information