Accessible Voting and Language Access
Voter Assistance
The District of Columbia Board of Elections (the Board) provides several options for voters who may need some form of assistance, such as senior citizens, people with disabilities, and people who are Non-English Proficient (NEP) or Limited English Proficient (LEP).
If you are a voter who requires assistance and you wish to vote in-person, you are welcome to do so at any Vote Center location during Early Voting and on Election Day. When voting in-person at a Vote Center location, you will cast your ballot using the Board’s accessible touchscreen voting equipment. Voter Assistance Clerks will be on-site to help any voters who may require assistance.
In addition to providing assistance to in-person voters, the Board also provides the following Voter Assistance services:
Curbside Voting - If you are unable to enter a Vote Center due to a disability, seniority, or illness, you may arrange to vote from your car. Curbside Voting is available at all Vote Center locations. You can find an interactive search tool with all Vote Center locations on the Find Out Where to Vote page.
Mail-In Ballots - The Board will send all eligible registered DC voters a mail-in ballot at their registered address. You can return your completed mail-in ballot to any Mail Ballot Drop Box, USPS location, or at any Early Vote Center or Election Day Vote Center. To find locations near you, you can use our interactive search tool with all Vote Center and Mail Ballot Drop Box locations, available on the Find Out Where to Vote page.
- Note: Given that the Board is mailing all eligible registered DC voters a mail-in ballot, you do NOT need to request an Absentee Ballot unless you will be away from your DC residence during the election.
Accessible Remote Ballot (ARB) Marking System - The Accessible Remote Ballot (ARB) Marking System is an electronic ballot marking system that allows voters with disabilities to vote privately and independently. The ARB Marking System is compatible with all major screen readers (JAWS etc.), tactile switches, closed captioning, and audio-enabled systems. You can learn more about the ARB Marking System on our Accessible Remote Ballot (ARB) Marking System page.
Language Access - Our agency provides Language Access services (sound amplifiers, translated voting material, multi-language signs/posters, foreign language and American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters) for Non-English Proficient (NEP) or Limited English Proficient (LEP) District of Columbia residents.
- If you need help in your language, please call (202) 727-2525 for free interpreter assistance.
- የቋንቋ እርዳታ በአማርኛ እርዳታ ከፈለጉ በ (202) 727-2525 ይደውሉ። የነፃ አስተርጓሚ ይመደብልዎታል።
- 語言協助 如果您需要用（中文)接受幫助，請電洽 (202) 727-2525 將免費向您提供口譯員服務
- AIDE LINGUISTIQUE Si vous avez besoin d’aide en Français appelez-le (202) 727-2525 et l’assistance d’un interprète vous sera fournie gratuitement.
- 언어 지원 한국어로 언어 지원이 필요하신 경우 (202) 727-2525 로 연락을 주시면 무료로 통역이 제공됩니다.
- AYUDA EN SU IDIOMA Si necesita ayuda en Español, por favor llame al (202) 727-2525 para proporcionarle un intérprete de manera gratuita.
- GIÚP ĐỠ VỀ NGÔN NGỮ Nếu quý vị cần giúp đỡ về tiếng Việt, xin gọi (202) 727-2525 để chúng tôi thu xếp có thông dịch viên đến giúp quý vị miễn phi.
Digital Accessibility
The Board is committed to maintaining an accessible website that provides equal access to voting information and resources for all District of Columbia residents. We view our overall site and platform as compliant with Section 508 Standards, and the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0), a globally recognized voluntary consensus standard for web content. However, we regularly measure our site’s accessibility by using a variety of methods, such as browser plug-ins and external vendor assessments. This continuous approach helps ensure that accessibility will be maintained as guidelines change and technology evolves.
If you use assistive technology, such as a screen reader, eye tracking device, voice recognition software, etc., and have difficulty accessing information on our website, we kindly your feedback. Please contact us via email at [email protected] or call (202) 727-2525, and provide the link (web address of the material you tried to access), details about the problem you experienced, and your contact information.
Nondiscrimination and Compliance Under the Americans with Disabilities Act
Pursuant to applicable Federal and District of Columbia civil rights laws, the Board does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, disability, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability, source of income, status as a victim of an interfamily offense, or place of residence or business. If you would like to receive more information about our non-discrimination policies, request a reasonable accommodation, or file a complaint please contact us via email at [email protected] or call (202) 727-2525.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BOARD OF ELECTIONS NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION & COMPLIANCE UNDER THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BOARD OF ELECTIONS GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE UNDER THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT