Accessible Voting in District of Columbia
For the Tuesday, November 5, 2024 General Election in District of Columbia
- In District of Columbia, there is a question about ranked choice voting on the ballot.
Voting Information
Visit your state Accessible Voting and Language Access page
Phone: (202) 727-2525
Contact your local election office for polling places and other information.
Read the REV UP voting guide for your state
Register to vote
- Voter registration in District of Columbia
- Deadlines and information in 18 languages at vote.gov
Your rights
As a voter with a disability, you have a right to vote privately and independently, at an accessible voting location, on an accessible voting system.
Organizations that can help If you can't find the information you need at your state or local election office.
- Contact your local Center for Independent Living
- Contact your state National Disability Rights Network office.
- Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE to report any problems voting
Other websites for voting information
- REV UP Voting Guides for voting info and plain language definitions
- VoteRiders for Voter ID requirements
- Vote.gov for information about registering to vote
- Vote411.org for what’s on your ballot
Voting features in District of Columbia for voters with disabilities
- Sign up to automatically receive a ballot by mail for all elections
- Voters with print disabilities can use an accessible vote-by-mail system.
Self-advocacy! Ask your local election office about:
- Information in large print, audio, or Braille versions
- Curbside or drive-up voting.
- Ballot delivery to your home or a “ride to the polls” program
- How to practice using the accessible voting system
- Emergency voting options if you are hospitalized or ill
- How to get assistance voting
- Other services for voters with disabilities
Learn more about the laws that protect your rights
Early voting is voting in person before Election Day, which is usually less crowded than going to vote on Election Day itself. There are different kinds of early voting, so check the options available for you. They might include:
- vote centers where you can vote at any location in your jurisdiction
- super polling places where you are assigned a location
- voting at an elections office or satellite office
- in-person absentee, where you go to an elections office, get your mail ballot, and then mark and cast it in the office.
October 28 through November 3, early voting is available at early voting centers between 8:30 am and 7:00 pm.
Early voting hours and locations can vary. Check with your local elections office.
- You can drop off your ballot at all early voting locations for your jurisdiction.
Find an early voting center near you.
- Same-day registration is available at all early voting locations.
When you vote in person on Election Day, you go to a voting center to mark and cast your ballot in person. Every in-person voting location is required to have accessible voting systems available.
Vote centers are open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm.
- Same-day registration is available at designated Election Day locations.
- You can drop off your mail ballot at all Election Day voting locations.
Find your polling place.
- First-time voters are asked to show identification.
Accessible voting systems for in-person voting
The accessible voting systems used in District of Columbia are shown below. Contact your local election office for more information or a change to practice using the system you will vote on.
ES&S ExpressVote
A ballot marking device.
It has a touchscreen, audio, and tactile controls on a small keypad.
The printed ballot is a list of selections printed on a narrow card.
Ballots are cast at a separate scanner.
Learn more about using ExpressVote
- Short video tutorial from Pennsylvania (YouTube 1:53)
- Video from Michigan (You Tube 12:29)
- Information about ExpressVote from Pennsylvania
|
Voting by mail can be an accessible option for voters with disabilities. It lets you vote at home, so you can mark, verify and return a paper ballot privately and independently. Some states have emergency options if you are hospitalized or ill. |
Deadline to return your ballot:
Postmarked by Election Day, November 5 and received by November 15.
Delivered by Election Day, November 5 for hand-delivered ballots.
How to get your ballot
- All registered voters are mailed a ballot.
How to return your ballot
By mail
At a secure drop box
At your local elections office
At a voting location on Election Day
At an early voting location
Find a ballot drop-off location near you at your local elections website.
Make sure your ballot counts! Remember...
If you mail your ballot, make sure it is postmarked by Election Day.
Postage is pre-paid so you don't need a stamp.
Make sure your ballot is sealed in the envelope.
Sign the form on the envelope.
- Ask your local elections office who can return your ballot for you.
- If someone helped you, have them complete the form for assistants.
Learn about accessible voting by mail options in the next card.
Accessible voting by mail allows voters with disabilities to mark a mail-in ballot electronically, using their own technology and assistive tools.
To use accessible tools for voting by mail, typically voters:
- Download an electronic ballot to mark using personal technology
- Print the ballot and any signature form
- Seal the ballot in an envelope
- Return it by mail or to a ballot drop off locatoin
Some states allow electronic return by email, fax, or a secure portal.
There is a statewide accessible vote by mail program in District of Columbia called Accessible Remote Ballot (ARB) Marking System
- You can use accessible vote by mail if you are a voter with a disability.
Voters with a disability can use the Accessible Remote Ballot (ARB) Marking System to vote privately and independently.
- Fill in and return the ARB Marking System Request Form
- The ADA Coordinator will send you an email with a link and instructions.
- Log on to the secure online portal with your name and birth date, and then complete the ballot.
- Print your voted ballot and follow instructions to return it.
Deadline to return your ballot:
Postmarked by Election Day, November 5 and received by November 15.
Delivered by Election Day, November 5 for hand-delivered ballots.
Returning a printed ballot
- Print the marked ballot and check it to be sure it is marked correctly
- Follow the instructions to complete and sign any forms
- Seal the ballot in an envelope
To return your ballot, you can:
- By mail
- At a secure drop box
- At an early voting location
- At a voting location on Election Day
The systems in use in District of Columbia for accessible voting by mail are:
DemocracyLive Secure Select
Accessible system for voting by mail.
Electronic ballot delivery.
Prints a paper facsimile of a hand-marked paper ballot.
Learn more about using Secure Select
Learn more about accessible voting options in District of Columbia