Everything you need to know about voting safely as a DC resident in the upcoming General Election.

The Board of Elections has announced a few major changes to how we typically vote due to the pandemic, and Councilmember Allen wants to make sure you are aware of all of your options.

You can vote by mail, or you can vote in-person. Let's walk through the process for each:

Vote By Mail

The Board of Elections will be mailing every registered voter a ballot beginning in early October. This is different than the Primary, where you had to request your ballot be sent to you. If you are a registered DC voter and your registration has the correct address, you don't need to do anything else to receive a ballot. Here's how you can vote by mail:

1. Register or confirm your address is correct with the Board of Elections here no later than October 13 - if everything looks good, you're all set to receive a ballot:
    https://www.dcboe.org/Voters/Register-To-Vote/Check-Voter-Registration-Status
   
   
2. Look for your ballot in October. The last day to register or update your address is October 13. Ballots may arrive after October 13.
   
   
3. How to return your ballot: Given the very real concerns over the President's undermining of the US Postal Service, I'd like to highlight two ways you can easily and safely return your ballot; in addition to mailing it back: 
   
   
   • The Board of Elections has created an easy map showing the locations of every drop box and Voting Center.
     
     
   • You can return your completed ballot to any Early Voting location Oct 27 - Nov 2. In Ward 6, that's Sherwood Rec Center (640 10th Street, NE) Kennedy Rec Center (1401 7th Street, NW), Walker-Jones Education Campus (1125 New Jersey Avenue, NW) and the Washington Nationals Ballpark (1500 South Capitol St., SE). Here's the full list of early voting locations and all 80 Voting Centers. 
     
     
   • There will be 50 secure drop boxes around the District (full list here, also here on the Where to Vote? Map). You can drop off your ballot anytime at a drop box up until 8 pm on November 3. Ballots in these drop boxes will be collected twice a day by the Board of Elections. In Ward 6, those locations will be: 
     
     
     • Shaw (Watha T. Daniel) Library: 1630 7th Street, NW
     • Northeast Library: 330 7th Street, NE
     • Rosedale Library: 1701 Gales Street, NE
     • Southwest Library: 425 M Street, SW
     • Eastern Market: 225 7th Street, SE
     • BOE Headquarters: 1015 Half Street, SE

Or you can mail your ballot back. The postage is prepaid. It is strongly recommended to get it in the mail early to ensure it gets back to BOE with plenty of time to spare. Ballots must be postmarked by November 3 and received within 10 business days of Election Day to be counted!

How to Vote In-Person

Of course, the District will also offer early voting and election day voting, though it will again operate differently. I strongly recommend taking advantage of your ballot being mailed to your home, but if you prefer in-person, here's what you need to know. 

1. Take Advantage of Early Voting (Oct 27 - Nov 2) to Avoid Long Lines: We saw in June that Election Day is still the most popular day to vote. I'll tell you right now - the Vote Centers are a lot quieter and quicker if you go during Early Voting! Every Ward has at least two early Vote Centers that will operate October 27 thru Nov 2 from 8:30 am to 7 pm. In Ward 6, our early Voting Centers are:
   • Sherwood Rec Center (640 10th Street, NE)
   • Kennedy Rec Center (1401 7th Street, NW)
   • Walker-Jones Education Campus (1125 New Jersey Avenue, NW) 
   • Washington Nationals Ballpark (1500 South Capitol St., SE)
     
     
2. General Election Vote Centers: If you haven't mailed in your ballot or taken advantage of Early Voting, there will be at least 80 Vote Centers open on Tuesday, November 3, from 7 am to 8 pm. You can vote at ANY Vote Center. Here's the full list. As mentioned above, you can expect the longest lines on Election Day.

For more information or check the latest, the DC Board of Elections website is your best resource.