Washington, DC Elections
Upcoming DC Election Dates
DC Primary Election – June 4, 2024
DC General Election – November 5, 2024
The 2024 campaign for Washington, DC elections is already underway, with plenty of hopefuls launching bids to take on the nation’s capital responsibilities as the next Washington, DC Council.
Primary elections establish candidates who can run for partisan offices. Typically, primaries are held between Democrats, Republicans, and sometimes a third party such as Libertarians.
If you are an eligible voter and considering voting in the upcoming 2024 primary election and general election for Washington, DC, you have come to the right place. At kBoulevard, you can find more information about local elections and voter registration than local news.
kBoulevard is among the most trusted sources to keep you up-to-date about DC local government and Washington, DC elections.
Frequently Asked Questions — The Primary and General Election
When are the voting polls open?
The poll’s opening and closing times for different polling areas vary from one state to another. In many states, counties and cities set up their own polling hours. Typically, in these states, ballots are submitted via emails. If voters want to drop off their ballots in person at a polling place, they will have to follow a specific deadline.
Where can you find election results?
The official election results can be found on the Washington, DC Board of Elections, relevant kBoulevard candidate guides, local news pages, and relevant candidate pages.
How do the primaries work in Washington, DC elections?
A primary election is an election used either to narrow the field of candidates for a given elective office or to determine the nominees for political parties in advance of a general election.
In Washington, DC elections, primaries are held for the DC Mayor, DC Council, and shadow members of Congress before a general election. The Washington, DC primary election is a closed primary system. Though parties can hold an open primary election, they generally only allow registered party members to vote in the primary election
How do I become a Washington, DC registered voter?
As per Washington, DC State Board of Election’s guidelines, an individual must be:
- A US citizen and a resident of Washington, DC, 30 days before the election
- At least 17 years old. However, 16-year-old can register to vote if eligibility requirements are met but cannot vote unless they are 18 years old by the general election
- Not have been found by a court to be legally incompetent to vote
Can I register to vote in Washington, DC if I have been convicted of a crime?
According to the DC Board of Elections, you can vote regardless of the offense if you are incarcerated. If you are under court supervision or residing at a halfway house after release, you can vote.
Where do I register to vote in Washington, DC?
DC Voters can register by mail by printing and signing a Voter Registration Application. Applications can also be found at the DC Board of Elections, public libraries, the Metropolitan Police Department, or fire stations.
DC offers same-day registration at early voting centers and at the polls on Election Day. Bring an acceptable proof of address when you go to vote OR visit any of the following National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) agencies:
- DC Board of Elections
- DC DMV
- Office on Aging
- Department of Human Services
- Department of Health
- Department of Corrections
- Department of Youth Services
- Department of Developmental and Rehabilitative Services
- Department of Health Care Finance
- Department of Park and Recreation
- Department on Disability Services
- District of Columbia Public Library
- District of Columbia Public Schools
- Health Benefit Exchange Authority
Make sure when registering to vote in person or by mail for the first time, you will need additional information for proof of residency. See Voter ID laws below or get more information on acceptable proofs of residence at the DC Board of Elections.
When can I vote in the Washington, DC elections?
For Washington, DC Primary Election held on June 4, 2024
- You can vote during early voting or on the day of election by mail or in-person
- Early voting for the primary election will start on Friday, May 10, 2024, through Tuesday, June 4, 2024. Each voting center will open from 7 am to 8 pm. Any voter in line by 8 pm is allowed to vote
- You need to vote at your assigned polling station on Election Day
For Washington, DC General Election held on November 5, 2024
- You can vote during early voting or on the day of election by mail or in-person
- Early voting for the general election will start on TBD, through TBD. Each voting center will open from 7 am to 8 pm. Any voter in line by 8 pm is allowed to vote
- You need to vote at an allocated polling station on Election Day
- If voting on Election Day is difficult for you, you have the option to vote through a mail-in ballot.
When does the early voting period start in Washington, DC?
Washington, DC allows early voting. Voters can go to any Early Voting Center OR any Vote Center on Election Day. You can bring the ballot with you and vote it there. If you have already returned your ballot, you will be issued a Special Ballot.
Early voting typically permits citizens or residents to cast ballots at a polling place in person before elections. In states like Washington, DC, that permit early voting, voters are given plenty of opportunities to cast their ballot by Election Day.
States that do not permit early voting also allow all or some citizens to vote early via mail-in voting sometimes referred to as “absentee voting.” While some states have no excuse for Absentee voting, others require a valid excuse. However, voters must know their respective early voting laws.
Who is allowed absentee voting in Washington, DC?
Fortunately, all voters in Washington, DC, can cast an Absentee ballot if they cannot go to the polls in person. The District does not have any specific eligibility requirements for people to qualify for Absentee voting.
The deadline to request an Absentee Ballot for the 2024 DC Primary Election is Saturday, June 1, 2024.
The deadline to request an Absentee ballot for the 2024 DC General Election is Saturday, November 2, 2024
You can verify if your ballot was received and processed at the Washington, DC Board of Election Check Your Voter Registration Status.
Are there voter ID laws in Washington, DC?
Yes, under the “Help American Vote Act,” certain voters must satisfy an identification requirement before voting for the first time in Washington, DC. Voters subject to this new identification requirement if:
- Registered to vote by mail; and
- Will be voting for the first time in Washington, DC
Voters can satisfy the identification requirement by providing one of the following:
- Valid District of Columbia DMV-issued ID
- Government check or paycheck
- Bank Statement
- Utility bill (The issue, bill, or statement date must be within 90 days of Election Day)
- Lease, student housing statement/tuition bill, or homeless shelter occupancy statement
- Other government documents that show the name and address of the voter
If your application is complete, you are considered a registered voter. You should verify whether you are registered to vote by visiting the Washington, DC Board of Elections well before an election.
Registration is permanent as long as you continue to live in Washington, DC, and keep your name and address current. You do not have to re-register when you move within the State.
Who are the candidates for the 2024 Washington, DC Primaries?
While this is a presidential election, the 2024 District of Columbia election is an important election for Washington, DC. Voters will vote for everything from the Washington, several seats for DC Council, and even shadow members of Congress.
Current incumbent and Democrat Washington, DC Mayor Mariel Bowser’s term ends in 2026 and is slated for reelection.
Washington, DC’s primary elections will be held on June 4, 2024. Many potential candidates are running for local seats and offices. kBoulevard will make updates to the candidates’ list as applications are made public.
I have a disability. Will I be able to vote in Washington, DC?
Yes. All early voting centers in Washington, DC, are accessible to voters with disabilities and provides language access services. An Accessible Remote Ballot (ARB) marking system is accessible and available by completing the ARB Marking System Request Form and email it to the ADA Coordinator at ogc@dcboe.org.
The Accessible Remote Ballot (ARB) is an electronic ballot marking system that allows voters with disabilities to vote privately and independently. It is compatible with all major screen readers (JAWS etc.), tactile switches, closed captioning, and audio-enabled systems. ARB is not an online voting system.
Get more information on the Accessible Remote Ballot.
Can someone help me vote?
The DC Board of Elections provides numerous voting options for senior citizens and people with disabilities. During Early Voting and on Election Day, senior citizens and people with disabilities can vote in person at any Vote Center.
You are free to bring a relative, friend, or neighbor to assist you, as long as they are not your employer, an election observer, or union representative.
Voter Assistance Clerks will be present to help. In addition to in-person voting, the DC Board of Elections offers curbside voting, early voting, and absentee voting.
See Access by Voters with Disabilities for more information.
Are election materials available in languages other than English?
Limited or Non-English proficient voters have access to translated election material in:
- Spanish
- Amharic
- Chinese
- French
- Korean
- Vietnamese
- Multi foreign language interpreters and American Sign Interpreters
- LanguageLine via telephone in over 240 languages
kBoulevard Candidate Guides for Washington, DC Elections
In a nutshell, the upcoming elections in Washington, DC, will include major initiatives, such as DC Statehood, a hot pic in the District nowadays. kBoulevard provides reliable local election news for Washington, DC elections. Check out our additional expert analysis on initiatives using our candidate guides, which can prove very helpful for early voters.
kBoulevard, as a non-partisan publisher, does not endorse candidates like local news publications. We primarily cover local elections in the Metropolitan region so that our readers can access authentic and concise information when they need it most, the voting booth.