How do I register or update my voter registration?
To check your registration status, click here. If your registration is not found or is inaccurate, you can register until April 8 at the Board’s office at:

One Judiciary Square (map)
441 4th Street NW, Suite 250 North
Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday
The office is open on Sunday, April 17 and April 24, from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and will close at 4:45 p.m. on Monday, April 25.

After absentee voting begins on Monday, April 11, you can still register at the Board’s office or at the polls on Election Day but you must provide proof of residence.

What are the qualifications to register to vote in the special election?
You are qualified to register to vote for the special election if you meet all of the following requirements:

• You are a citizen of the United States;
• You will be at least 18 years old by April 26, 2011;
• You will have resided in the District of Columbia for at least 30 consecutive days immediately before the special election on April 26, 2011;
• You are not in jail on a felony conviction;
• You have not been found by a court to be legally incompetent to vote; and
• You do not claim voting residence outside of the District of Columbia.

Same-Day Registration
To register once voting has begun, you must meet the eligibility requirements above and must provide one of the following types of proof of residence:

• A District driver’s license or DMV-issued identification card. A current and valid driver’s license or identification card issued by the District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles, listing your current name and address, is sufficient proof of residence to register to vote. 
  

If you provide this type of identification, you may register and then cast your ballot using the voting equipment at the polling place. Your license must be current and valid, and the name and address on the identification must be the same from which you are registering to vote.

• Other proof of residence. You may also submit the types of identification below for same-day registration. However, you will be required to cast a special ballot that will be counted subject to verification of your residence.
  • Utility bill
  • Bank statement
  • Government check or paycheck
  • Other government document with your current name and address

The Special Ballot Clerk at your polling place is required to indicate the type of identification provided, including the utility name, bank name, or government agency, and must copy your name and address accurately from your identification for the Board to count your ballot.

Are students eligible to vote in the District of Columbia?
High school students are eligible to register to vote if they are at least 17 years old. Students may also preregister to vote beginning at age 16 and will automatically become a registered voter once they are eligible.

Students attending a public or private college or university may vote using their District school residence address if they consider their dorm or school address as their principal or primary home. The length of time that a student intends to remain living at their current address does not affect a student’s eligibility to vote, provided that the student resides in the District for at least 30 days prior to the election.

Students temporarily residing in the District who have questions about establishing residency for any purpose other than voting should refer to the links to ‘Find City Services’ in the ‘Move to DC’ section of the DC Government Resident Resource Center at http://rrc.dc.gov/.

DC Board of Elections and Ethics
441 4th Street, NW, Suite 250 North
Washington, DC 20001
Tel: (202) 727-2525 | TTY: (202) 639-8916 | Tollfree: 1-866-DC-VOTES