District of Columbia absentee and mail ballot guide
- All District of Columbia elections are held by mail. This means that the District of Columbia will automatically send a mail-in ballot to every active registered voter ahead of all elections.
- If you need to update your mailing address temporarily -- because you will be out of town for a specific election -- request a one-time absentee ballot.
- Earliest day to apply: January 1
- Request deadline (online): 15 days before Election Day
- Request deadline (by mail): Received by 15 days before Election Day
- Request deadline (in person): 15 days before Election Day
- Deadline to return your ballot (by mail): Postmarked by Election Day
- Deadline to return your ballot (in person): Received by Election Day
- All District of Columbia elections are held by mail. This means that the District of Columbia will automatically send a mail-in ballot to every registered voter ahead of all elections.
- If you need to update your mailing address temporarily for a specific election, request a one-time absentee ballot.
- Visit the District of Columbia absentee ballot website.
- Fill out all of the required information.
- Hit save or submit when you are done.
- The deadline to apply online is 15 days before Election Day.
- Download the District of Columbia absentee ballot application.
- Fill out all of the required fields.
- Print the application.
- Sign and date your application. This is very important.
- Mail or hand-deliver your completed application directly to your local election office as soon as possible, but no later than the deadline.
- If it’s close to the deadline, call your local election office and see if they will let you submit your application via email or fax.
- Your application must be received by 15 days before Election Day.
- Visit your local election office.
- Ask the clerk to give you an absentee ballot application.
- Fill out all of the required fields.
- Sign and date your application.
- The deadline to apply in person is 15 days before Election Day.
- Carefully read and follow the instructions, and fill out all required fields.
- Sign and date the outside envelope.
- Mail your ballot to your local election office. You can also hand-deliver your ballot to a drop box if one is available nearby. You can use our Find Out Where To Vote tool to find an official drop box.
- If you mail your ballot, it must be postmarked by Election Day.
- If you miss the deadline – or forget to sign the outside envelope – your vote will not be counted.
- ID required when requesting a mail-in ballot:
- All District of Columbia elections are held by mail. This means that the District of Columbia will automatically send a mail-in ballot to every active, registered voter ahead of all elections.
- Voters who are away from their District of Columbia residence during the election may submit a mail-in ballot request form to have their ballot mailed to an alternate mailing address. You must include either your DC-issued driver’s license, non-driver ID, or the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number in the request.
- ID required when returning a mail-in ballot:
If you are a first-time voter, you must include your driver's license number, any current government-issued photo ID, or a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government‐issued document that shows your name and address
Track your ballot here: District of Columbia absentee ballot tracker
Ballot curing is the process of resolving any problems with your absentee or mail ballot to ensure that your vote is counted. After tracking your ballot, contact your local election office to fix any issues that have been noted.
- Your ballot will be rejected if you forget to sign it, or if your signature does not match the signature DC has on record for you.
- You'll have until the 7th day after Election Day to cure a defective ballot.
Some states have special procedures that allow you to obtain an emergency ballot if a medical or other emergency occurs after the standard absentee ballot application window.
Emergency Ballot Rules
District of Columbia law has no mention of emergency ballots.
Dates & Deadlines
District of Columbia does not offer emergency ballots.
Contact your local election office
Local election office
Contact your local election office if you have questions.
Statewide election office
This is the statewide agency that is ultimately responsible for District of Columbia elections. You can contact them with questions, but your local election office will probably respond faster.
District of Columbia Board of Elections 1015 Half Street, SE, Suite 750 Washington, DC 20003