District of Columbia voting deadlines for the November 3, 2026 election

District of Columbia voter registration closes Oct 13 for the November 3, 2026 election. Every deadline — registration, mail ballot and early voting — with the official source for each.

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Every date

Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Voter registration deadline (online and by mail)

The Board of Elections must receive online registrations by Tuesday, October 13, 2026 (21 days before the election). The Board must receive mailed registration forms by Tuesday, October 13, 2026. A postmark by that date is not enough.

Monday, October 19, 2026

Last day to request a mail ballot

Every registered voter is mailed a ballot automatically. If you need to request one, the Board must receive your request by Monday, October 19, 2026.

Monday, October 26, 2026 – Sunday, November 1, 2026

Early voting

Early Vote Centers open Monday, October 26, 2026. Early voting ends Sunday, November 1, 2026 at 7 p.m. Early Vote Centers are open every day, Oct 26 - Nov 1, 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can also register there.

Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Voter registration deadline (in person)

You can register in person, with proof of residence, at Early Vote Centers (Oct 26-Nov 1) and at Vote Centers on Election Day until 8 p.m. Same-day registration is available at Vote Centers during early voting and on Election Day. Bring valid proof of residence.

Friday, November 13, 2026

Mail ballot return deadline

Mailed ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day (Nov 3) and received by Friday, November 13, 2026. Ballots dropped at drop boxes, Vote Centers or the Board's office are due by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

How voting works in District of Columbia

Every eligible registered voter is mailed a ballot; in-person voting at Vote Centers is also available, so allMailElection means ballots go to everyone, not that in-person voting is unavailable. The official calendar is marked "subject to change" (Rev. 1/26/2026). Drop boxes are tentatively open Oct 9, 11 a.m. through Nov 3, 8 p.m. Deadline to cure a mail ballot: Nov 19, 2026.

What we could not confirm

We publish a gap rather than a guess. These points were not settled by an official source:

Mailed ballots must be postmarked by Nov 3 AND arrive by Nov 13; the Postal Service may date postmarks when mail is processed rather than when it is dropped off, so voters should mail well before Election Day or use a drop box (due 8 p.m. Nov 3).
Post-Election Day receipt was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court (Watson v. RNC, June 29, 2026), but federal litigation over mail voting continues; recheck before the election.
Drop box and ballot mailing dates are marked tentative in the official calendar.

Where these came from

Every date above was read from the District of Columbia election office's own published material, last checked Tuesday, September 15, 2026. Confirm anything you are relying on with your local election authority.

https://www.dcboe.org/getmedia/4d04f4a1-fb2a-4f8a-809f-d3f708f232df/2026-General-Election-Calendar-Version-01262026.pdf

Tuesday, October 13, 2026 ... Deadline for receipt of all voter registration applications (including federal postcard applications (FPCAs), federal write in absentee ballots (FWABs)) and updates except for those submitted in person at the Board or at voter registration agencies [D.C. Official Code §§ 1-1001.07(g)(1)-(3

https://www.dcboe.org/FAQS/Voter-Registration/

Same-Day Registration is available at Vote Centers during the Early Voting period and on Election Day.

District of Columbia voting deadlines for the November 3, 2026 election

Every date

How voting works in District of Columbia

What we could not confirm

Where these came from

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