District of Columbia
Finding Help
Cornell Votes is always happy to help you with any of your voting needs. The best way to contact us is via cornellvotes@cornell.edu. You can also contact your local board of elections.
Register to Vote
In the US (other than North Dakota), you must register to vote. While some states allow same-day registration, this is not the norm. Please see the deadlines below. Additionally, not all states permit online registration. If you need assistance with printing or mailing a request, please reach out to Cornell Votes for help. Remember that college students can register with their home or school address based on which elections they want to vote in.
Online registration deadline: 21 days before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be received 21 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: Available up to and including on Election Day
Decide How to Vote
Registered voters out of their county on election day are elligible to vote by mail. This includes college students. For information about voting in person, scroll down to "Voting in Person." For information about voting by mail from a location inside the US, scroll down to "Voting By Mail." For information about voting by mail from a location outside the US, for example if you are studying abroad, go to the Voting Overseas page.
Voting In Person
Every voter is assigned a polling place by their local board of elections based on their address. This can change year to year, so it's important to check the hours and location of your polling place. Also, many states have early voting where lines are often shorter, but this might be at a different time or location.
Many states have voter ID requirements. Be sure to be Voter Ready and check your state's requirements.
Voting By Mail
In most states, you must request an absentee ballot by a specific deadline before the election, especially if you want it sent to an address other than your home, such as your college address.
This district automatically sends absentee ballots to registered voters' mailing addresses. If you wish to receive that ballot at a different address, for example, in Ithaca, reach out to your local board of elections to update your mailing address.
Online request deadline: Received 15 days before Election Day.
Request by mail deadline: Received 15 days before Election Day.
In person request deadline: N/A
If you are concerned about the location of your ballot, there is a way to find that information.
When filling out an absentee ballot, be sure to read the instructions carefully, return it by the deadline, have your signature match the one on file, and be sure to comply with your states notary or witness requirements:
The US Vote Foundation does not have specific guidance. Read your ballot to ensure compliance.
Absentee ballot return deadline: Postmarked on or before Election Day and received no later than 10 days after Election Day.