Visit WTOP's Election 2024 page for comprehensive coverage.

D.C. voters are preparing to decide their choice for president on Election Day on November 5, but there are also a number of closely watched local issues on the ballot, including seats on the D.C. Council and an initiative that the city could drastically change the electoral process.

Here's what you need to know before you vote:

Dates at a glance

• Mailbox for ballot papers are open now until November 5th at 8 p.m
• Early voting starts on October 28th and ends on November 3rd
• Election applications from military and overseas voters must be received by November 2nd
• Election day: November 5th, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m

More news about local elections

How do I register to vote?

The deadline to submit registration applications by mail or online has passed, but it's not too late to register and cast a general election in DC

The county allows same-day registration, meaning voters can register and vote in person at the same time, either during early voting or on Election Day. To register at your election, be sure to bring acceptable proof of residency that shows your name and current DC address.

A list of acceptable proof of residency is available online. Examples of acceptable documents include a government-issued photo ID, current utility bills, current bank statements, current pay stubs, or a current rental or rental agreement.

What you should know about postal voting

Every registered voter in DC automatically receives a mail-in ballot at their home address. Instructions for completing and submitting the ballot can be found online.

Absentee ballots may be returned to the Board of Elections, dropped off in a drop box by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, or returned to a vote center during early voting or on Election Day. A list of postal voting drop-off locations is available online.

For first-time voters who registered by mail or online, federal and DC law requires that you send a copy of valid proof of residency with your mail-in ballot.

What about early in-person voting?

Early voting begins October 28th and ends November 3rd. During this time, DC's 25 early voting centers will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m

DC voters can vote at any of the city's early voting centers, regardless of where they live in the city.

A complete list of early voting centers in DC is available online.

Voting on election day

Election Day is November 5th. D.C.'s 75 vote centers are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m

Just like early voting, D.C. residents can cast their vote at any of these vote centers. Same-day registration is available on Election Day for those who have not registered to vote.

Registered voters will not be required to show ID to vote in person on Election Day.

A complete list of Election Day vote centers in DC is available online.

What's on the ballot?

Voters across D.C. will see the presidential contest at the top of the ballot, but there are other contests that city voters should pay attention to that could have significant impacts at the local level.

president

Voters select or write a selection from one of the following options:

• Independent ticket: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Nicole Shanahan
• Republican ticket: Donald J. Trump and JD Vance
• Democratic ticket: Kamala D. Harris and Tim Walz

DC Council

There are two DC City Council seats up for grabs that will be decided by voters across the city. In Districts 2 and 4, the incumbent council members are running unopposed, while in Districts 7 and 8 it is a competitive field.

In both races, the winner of the Democratic primary remains the clear favorite in deep-blue D.C., even though Ward 8 Councilman Trayon White was indicted on federal bribery charges after the June primary, prompting a number of other Democrats to opt out of the primary to join races as registered candidates.

In District 7, Democratic Council member Vincent Gray chose not to run for re-election, leaving his seat to a huge field of candidates that was whittled down during the June primary.

On the whole

• Independent candidate Christian Henderson (incumbent)
• Democratic candidate Robert White (incumbent)
• Republican candidate Rob Simmons
• Darryl Moch, DC Statehood Green Party candidate

Station 2

• Democratic candidate Brooke Pinto (incumbent)

Ward 4

• Democratic candidate Janeese Lewis George (incumbent)

Ward 7

• Democratic candidate Wendell Felder
• Republican candidate Noah Montgomery

Ward 8

• Democratic candidate Trayon White Sr. (incumbent)
• Republican candidate Nate Derenge

DC's delegate to the US House of Representatives

• Democratic candidate Eleanor Holmes Norton (incumbent)
• Independent candidate Michael A. Brown
• Republican candidate Myrtle Patricia Alexander
• Kymone Freeman, DC Statehood Green Party candidate

Initiative 83

Initiative 83 asks DC voters if they want to dramatically change the District's election process in two different ways. The first would be the change from closed to semi-open primaries, meaning a voter registered as an independent could vote in a party primary of their choice. Currently, only those registered as either Democrats or Republicans can vote in each respective primary.

The second change would be the switch to ranked choice voting. Currently, DC voters cast one vote per race for their preferred candidate. With ranked choice voting, voters can rate up to five candidates based on preference. This system ensures that the winning candidate receives at least 50% of the vote by sequentially eliminating the candidates with the lowest number of votes until there is a majority winner.

Initiative 83 simply asks voters to choose from:

• Yes, to approve
• No, refuse

DC voters will also elect a new Shadow Representative and Shadow Senator, as well as new Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners and Board of Education members.

Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.

© 2024 WTOP. All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users within the European Economic Area.