Voting by Special Ballot
The Special Ballot Clerk will determine whether the voter is eligible to cast a live (regular) ballot or whether the voter must cast a Special Ballot, which will be tabulated after Election Day.
Same Day Registrations – Live (regular) ballot
A voter may cast a live ballot if they are completing a Same-Day Registration with proper proof of residence, changing their address at their assigned precinct, or updating their name at their assigned precinct.
Special Ballot
You may be required to complete a Special Ballot for any of the following reasons:
You are marked as an "Early Voter"
The pollbook shows you have voted at an Early Voting Center. If you have not already voted, your Special Ballot will be counted.
You are marked as an "Absentee Voter"
The pollbook shows you have received an Absentee Ballot for this election or have returned a ballot to BOE. If you have not already voted, your Special Ballot will be counted.
You are marked as "ID REQUIRED," but do NOT have ID
- The pollbook indicates you must show identification because the DMV-issued number or the last four digits of the Social Security Number you provided on your registration application could not be verified and you did not show ID before voting.
- You have two days following the election to show your ID to the Board.
- Acceptable forms of ID are listed under Same-Day Registration above.
You claim different party affiliation status (Primary Election)
- You claim a different political party in the primary other than the one shown on the list of registered voters at the Vote Center.
- Your ballot will be counted if the Board has your party affiliation listed incorrectly due to a clerical error.
You claim different ANC/SMD (General Election)
- You claim a different Single Member District in the General Election other than the one shown on the list of registered voters at the polling place.
- If the Board's research following the election indicates you do not reside in the Single Member District for which you received a ballot, your vote for Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner will not be counted.
You have already checked-in/your signature line is already signed
- The pollbook indicates you have already checked-in to vote.
- If you have not already voted, your Special Ballot will be counted.
A challenge to your voting qualifications are approved by the Vote Center Coordinator
- Your right to vote was challenged by another voter or a poll watcher and approved by the Vote Center Coordinator.
- Your Special Ballot will be counted if the Board determines that you are the person you say you are and you are eligible to vote in the election.
Voting hours extended by a court or the Board
- You voted during extended hours.
- If the court orders that polling places remain open after 8:00 pm, all voters who cast ballots during these extended hours must vote by Special Ballot.
- Your vote will count if the court decision is upheld.
You applied to register same-day but did not provide an acceptable proof of residence
- You are registering to vote as a same-day registrant, but you did not provide an acceptable proof of residence.
- You have two days following the election to show your proof of residence to the Board.
- Acceptable forms of proof of residence are listed under Same-Day Registration above.
You filed a change of address but did not provide an acceptable proof of residence
- You are changing your address at your assigned precinct, but you did not provide acceptable proof of residence.
- You have two days following the election to show your ID to the Board.
- Acceptable forms of proof of residence are listed below.
The Special Ballot Clerk will direct the voter to complete the right side of the special ballot envelope. You must complete the required sections of the envelope and sign the voter affirmation. The Special Ballot Clerk will then complete the left side of the envelope and issue you the correct special ballot.
You will complete the Special Ballot, insert it into the Secrecy Envelope, insert the Secrecy Envelope into the Special Ballot Envelope, and deposit the Special Ballot Envelope in the Special Ballot Box.
Will my votes be secret?
Yes. Your ballot will remain in the envelope until the Board has reviewed and qualified your Special Ballot for counting. If qualified, your ballot is separated from the Special Ballot Envelope so that your ballot is kept secret. If DCBOE decides not to count your ballot, your Special Ballot will remain in the sealed Special Ballot Envelope for the two-year period required for maintaining election records.
How can I find out if my ballot is counted?
You can look up the status of your Special Ballot online the day after the election to find out if your Special Ballot was counted, and if not, the reason why it was not counted.
What are my rights to appeal to have my vote counted?
If the Board decides not to count your Special Ballot, you may appeal that decision to the Board. You may call the Office of the General Counsel at (202) 727-2194 to schedule a hearing.
When are Special Ballots tallied?
Votes cast by Special Ballot that are found to be qualified for counting in the election are tabulated at 5:00 pm, two days after the election.
Are Special Ballots counted even if they will not change the outcome of the election?
All qualified votes cast by Special Ballot are tabulated.