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2026 Elections
How to Vote in District of Columbia: 2028 Deadlines, Early Voting & Poll Hours
Everything you need to vote in District of Columbia for the November 7, 2028 general election — when to register, when early voting opens, how to vote by mail, and when polls close.
Rules as of September 17, 2026 · verify at District of Columbia's official election site
Election Day
November 7, 2028
Quick Answer
- Register By
- 21 days before Election Day
- Early Voting
- Opens ≈ Oct 22, 2026
- Mail Ballot Request By
- Not needed — every voter is mailed a ballot automatically
- Polls Close
- 8 p.m. ET
- Election Day
- November 7, 2028
Build your District of Columbia voting plan
Choose how you plan to vote and we'll narrow the checklist below to the steps and dates that apply to you.
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See rule
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See rule
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Nov 7, 2028
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Early voting opens
12 days before Election Day Every active voter is mailed a ballot.
Official source →See rule
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See rule
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Nov 7, 2028
What's on Your District of Columbia Ballot
Every U.S. House seat is up for election every two years. Whether a U.S. Senate seat is also on the ballot depends on the state.
U.S. House of Representatives
All of District of Columbia's U.S. House seats are on the 2028 ballot. View District of Columbia's current delegation →
U.S. Senate
Not this cycleDistrict of Columbia has no U.S. Senate race in 2028. Senate seats rotate on a six-year cycle across three classes. Learn how Senate classes work →
District of Columbia Court of Appeals
Not this cycleNo District of Columbia Court of Appeals seat is up in 2028. Local judges may be on your ballot too. How District of Columbia chooses its judges →
To see every race you will vote on — including judges and local measures — check your sample ballot from your county or local election office, starting at District of Columbia's official election site.
Find your District of Columbia representative and senators
Enter your address to see exactly who represents you before you vote.
Voter Registration in District of Columbia
To vote in the November 7, 2028 general election, register by 21 days before Election Day.
District of Columbia also allows same-day registration on Election Day itself.
Dates marked ≈ are computed from state statute and can shift with county practice. Confirm your exact deadline and check your registration status at District of Columbia's official site.
Early Voting in District of Columbia
Early voting opens ≈ October 22, 2026 — 12 days before Election Day. It runs through Saturday before Election Day.
District of Columbia is an all-mail state: every active registered voter is automatically mailed a ballot, and in-person early voting sites are an alternative to mailing it back.
Every active voter is mailed a ballot.
Confirm exact locations and hours — which vary by county — at District of Columbia's official election site.
Voting by Mail in District of Columbia
Every active registered voter in District of Columbia is automatically mailed a ballot — no request needed.
Return rule: Postmarked on or before Election Day; must be received within ten days of the election
Every active voter is mailed a ballot automatically.
Track your ballot: use District of Columbia's ballot tracker to see when your ballot was mailed, received and accepted.
Details and request forms are at District of Columbia's official election site.
Voter ID Requirements in District of Columbia
No identifying document is requested to vote in person; the state verifies identity by other means, typically a signature match.
See the full list of accepted ID at District of Columbia's official election site.
Poll Hours in District of Columbia
Polls are open until 8 p.m. ET on November 7, 2028.
See how District of Columbia's closing time compares nationwide on the full poll closing times by state page, or confirm your local hours at District of Columbia's official election site.
When District of Columbia Certifies Its Results
Election-night totals are unofficial. The count becomes official in two steps:
- Local: None — one jurisdiction. The D.C. Board of Elections counts and certifies for the whole district.
- Statewide: D.C. Board of Elections — December 2, 2026 on the 2026 calendar. Tentative.
Certifying is a required step, not a second vote on the result. What happens if a local board won’t sign off, every state’s deadlines and how a result can be challenged are on how election results are certified.
Live on Congress Countdown
Live countdown to Election Day — and every date in between
Registration deadlines, early voting, and the full 2026 election calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the deadline to register to vote in District of Columbia?
21 days before Election Day Confirm the exact date at https://www.dcboe.org/voters/register-to-vote/register-update-voter-registration.
Can I vote early in person in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia mails every active registered voter a ballot automatically, so most voters don't need a separate early-voting trip. In-person options still exist — see the early voting section below.
Do I need ID to vote in District of Columbia?
No identifying document is requested to vote in person; the state verifies identity by other means, typically a signature match.
When do polls close in District of Columbia?
Polls close 8 p.m. ET on November 7, 2028.
How do I vote by mail in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia automatically mails a ballot to every active registered voter. Postmarked on or before Election Day; must be received within ten days of the election
Is it too late to register to vote in District of Columbia?
21 days before Election Day Confirm at https://www.dcboe.org/voters/register-to-vote/register-update-voter-registration.
How do I track my mail ballot in District of Columbia?
Use District of Columbia's ballot tracker (https://votedc.ballottrax.net/voter/) to see when your ballot was mailed, received and accepted.
Where can I see a sample ballot for District of Columbia?
Your county or local election office publishes sample ballots before each election. They list every race you will vote on, including judges and local measures. Start at District of Columbia's official election site (https://www.dcboe.org/voters/register-to-vote/register-update-voter-registration).