Voter guide: District of Columbia 2026 general election

The District of Columbia’s 2026 general election will give voters an opportunity to participate in the District’s election process. Before voting, residents should verify the exact schedule, review the contests on their ballot and confirm how they may cast it.

Key dates to confirm

The most important first step is checking the election calendar. Voters should identify the date of the general election, the voter-registration deadline and any separate deadlines connected to the voting method they intend to use.

Other dates may affect when a voter needs to act. These can include a deadline for updating a registration record, a period for voting before Election Day, and deadlines for requesting or returning a ballot if that voting method is authorized.

Do not assume that a deadline from a previous election will remain the same in 2026. Check the calendar early and check it again as Election Day approaches. When reviewing a deadline, note whether it refers to submitting, mailing, receiving or completing a document. Those terms can describe different steps and different cutoff points.

What will be on the ballot

Voters should review the exact ballot connected to their registration and address. The ballot will identify the contests and any other questions on which that voter may make a selection.

Read each contest separately. Note how many selections the instructions permit, and do not assume every contest follows the same format. If the ballot includes a question or measure, read the full ballot language and the voting instructions before marking a choice.

A ballot review is also a chance to identify unfamiliar offices or questions before voting. Voters can write down their choices in advance, but they should make sure any notes comply with the rules at their voting location. The final ballot instructions should guide how each selection is recorded.

Registration and voter information

Before the registration deadline, voters should verify that their voter record is current. Important details include the voter’s name, residential address and any other information used to maintain the record.

Anyone who needs to register or update a record should confirm which registration methods are accepted and what information is required. A move, name change or error in a voter record may require action before the election. Voters should also determine whether any identification or documentation rules apply when registering or voting.

Keep copies of confirmations, reference numbers or other records connected to a registration or ballot request. If a question arises later, those records can help identify what action was taken and when.

Making a voting plan

Voters should choose from the voting methods authorized for the 2026 general election and understand the steps for their preferred method. A complete plan should cover when to vote, where or how to vote, what to bring and how much time may be needed.

For in-person voting, confirm the correct location, operating times and any check-in requirements. For any ballot completed away from a voting location, confirm the request, completion and return instructions, including the applicable deadline.

Before submitting a ballot, review it for skipped contests or unintended selections. Follow the instructions for correcting a mistake rather than adding marks that could make the voter’s intent unclear. After voting, retain any confirmation information made available through the authorized process.