To register to vote in the District of Columbia, you must:
For Federal Elections
Be a United States Citizen;
Be a resident of the District of Columbia (You may not vote in an election in the District of Columbia unless you have been a resident for at least 30 days immediately before the election);
Not claiming voting residence or the right to vote in another U.S. state, territory, or country;
Be at least 16 years old (You may pre-register to vote if you are at least 16 years old. You may vote in a primary election if you are at least 17 years old and you will be at least 18 years old by the next general election. You may vote in a general or special election if you are at least 18 years old.);
Not have been found by a court to be legally incompetent to vote.
For Local Elections
Be a resident of the District of Columbia (You may not vote in an election in the District of Columbia unless you have been a resident for at least 30 days immediately before the election);
Not claiming voting residence or the right to vote in another U.S. state, territory, or country;
Be at least 16 years old (You may pre-register to vote if you are at least 16 years old. You may vote in a primary election if you are at least 17 years old and you will be at least 18 years old by the next general election. You may vote in a general or special election if you are at least 18 years old.);
Not have been found by a court to be legally incompetent to vote.
Non-US Citizen Resident of the District of Columbia
Starting in 2024, qualified non-citizen District of Columbia residents may vote in local elections, per the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022.
Specifically, under District of Columbia law, non-citizen residents may vote in District of Columbia elections held for the offices of Mayor, Attorney General, member(s) of the DC Council, member(s) of the State Board of Education, or Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner(s), or to vote on initiative, referendum, recall, or charter amendment measures that appear on District of Columbia ballots. Non-citizens cannot vote for federal offices.
For more information, please visit the District of Columbia Board of Elections.
The Board must receive your Voter Registration materials at least 21 days before Election Day:
For the June 16, 2026, Primary Election and DC Coucil At-large Special Election, this deadline falls on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
For the November 3, 2026, General Election, this deadline falls on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
If you miss the deadline, Same-Day Registration is available at Vote Centers during the Early Voting period and on Election Day.
To complete Same-Day Registration during the Early Voting period or on Election Day, you will need to complete a Voter Registration Application, swear or affirm that you are qualified to vote, and provide valid proof of residence.
You can learn more about which documents qualify as valid proof of residence on our Register/Update Voter Registration page.
NOTE: If you are currently registered to vote in DC, you may not use Same-Day Registration to change your party affiliation during the Early Voting period or on Election Day. Requests for change of party affiliation received during the 21 days before a Primary Election will be processed after the Primary Election.
Register to vote or update your voter registration in three ways:
If the deadlines for the receipt of voter registration applications and updates submitted online, by mail, or in person at the Board of Elections or another voter registration agency have passed, you can still register during early voting or on Election Day. To register when you vote, you must provide proof of residence that shows your name and current District of Columbia address. Acceptable forms of proof of residence include:
A copy of a current and valid government-issued photo identification
A utility bill for water, gas, electricity, cable, internet, telephone, or cellular phone service issued no earlier than 90 days before the election
A savings, checking, credit, or money market account statement from a bank or credit union issued no earlier than 90 days before the election
A paycheck, stub, or earning statement that includes the employer’s name, address, and telephone number and was issued no earlier than 90 days before the election
A government-issued document or check from a federal or District agency, other than the Board of Elections, issued no earlier than 90 days before the election
A current residential lease or rental agreement
An occupancy statement from a District homeless shelter issued no earlier than 90 days before the election
A tuition or housing bill from a District of Columbia college or university issued for the current academic or housing term
Are you a military or overseas voter? Please visit https://www.fvap.gov/district-of-columbia for information on registration and absentee voting.
Not sure if you're registered? Check your voter registration status
Any registered voter may cancel their registration by completing the Online Request to Cancel Voter Registration form.
Alternatively, a PDF form can be printed, completed, and then returned by:
Scanning and emailing it to voterservices@dcboe.org;
Mailing it or submitting it in person to:
District of Columbia Board of Elections
1015 Half St SE, Suite 750
Washington, DC 20003
For more information, visit DCBOE's Cancel Your Voter Registration page.
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