Just moved to DC after living overseas for 5 years. Is it too late for me to register to vote?

Submitted by WhatTheFaDuck t3_yiarc4 in washingtondc

I’ve never voted before—lived overseas since age of 18 in the military. I tried to vote through FVAP but two years in a row I never got my ballot mailed to me so here we are.

I just got here a week ago. I read online that Oct 18th was the close out for online and by-mail registration. It says Nov 8th is the last day for in-person registration, does this mean I’m OK to just register voting day? Or will I have to have lived here for a certain amount of time before being allowed to vote here.

Sorry if these are all really stupid questions, I have never voted before and as much as I’ve tried to read on vote.gov I’m still confused about it I’m eligible or not.

Thank you in advance!

P.S. This is my first time ever living in the continental US—this city is incredible and I love it here.

Edit: Just called the BoE and confirmed that since I will not have 30 days of residency by Election Day, I am not eligible to vote. Thank you everyone for the info!

54

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

SheilaBoof t1_iuhok8o wrote

DC has same day registration. Just go register at one of the voting sites and you can fill in your ballot on the same day.

69

[deleted] t1_iuhpwbw wrote

[deleted]

2

KnavesRadiant t1_iuhrf9a wrote

https://www.dcboe.org/Voters/Register-To-Vote/Register-to-Vote lists a wide variety of documents that are acceptable for proving your residency for voter registration

The hitch for OP is that you must live in DC for 30 days prior to an election to be eligible to vote in it (according to that same page)

18

museumed t1_iuhqcpz wrote

From the DC website:

Acceptable forms include: current and valid government-issued photo ID current utility bill (does not include cell phone bill) issued within 90 days of Election Day bank statement issued within 90 days of Election Day government check issued within 90 days of Election Day paycheck lease or rental agreement university housing or tuition bill another government document that shows your name and address

6

Gilmoregirlin t1_iujflc5 wrote

I worked the polls as a check in clerk in and can confirm this but he has not lived here for long enough to be eligible. And for anyone else reading this please if your address does not match your current ID and/or your voter registration ID bring something with you that does. Otherwise you have to cast a provisional ballot and if you do not go to the elections office within I think it's two days to verify your vote does not count.

3

SheilaBoof t1_iuhqc11 wrote

You'd have to show proof you live in the city. The combination of a passport and lease would probably suffice and maybe a temporary license from the DMV before the physical license arrives in the mail.

4

My__reddit_account t1_iuiaedk wrote

Either a lease or the temporary license alone would work to get registered. A passport does not work because it doesn't have your address in it.

5

SheilaBoof t1_iuiblsm wrote

Yes, that's why I said the combination of a passport and lease

−2

My__reddit_account t1_iuifuke wrote

You don't need the passport at all, the check in person won't even look at it. A lease alone is fine.

−1

SheilaBoof t1_iuj9oh1 wrote

The passport was to serve as a picture ID. They're not going to just accept a lease without picture identification

0

My__reddit_account t1_iujb6i5 wrote

> They're not going to just accept a lease without picture identification

Yes, we will. I am an election worker and register people on election day. You don't need a photo to register to vote. Just your name and address. If you handed me a passport, I wouldn't even look at it.

2

ottereatingpopsicles t1_iuhtjh8 wrote

Welcome to DC! You should still register so you’re registered for the next election

8

WhatTheFaDuck OP t1_iuhtnjb wrote

Thank you!! And I definitely will (:

3

IvyGold t1_iuj7ric wrote

FWIW, these elections are all going to be rubber stamps, at least in my ward. There might be an at-large council spot being contested, but I don't think so. I'm still going to vote.

0

KnavesRadiant t1_iuhr8pq wrote

Please note that you might not be qualified to vote in this election. According to https://www.dcboe.org/Voters/Register-To-Vote/Register-to-Vote :

> You may not vote in an election in the District of Columbia unless you have been a resident for at least 30 days immediately prior to the election

You can try calling the BoE to double check but that may be the limiting factor here.

7

WhatTheFaDuck OP t1_iuhszf7 wrote

Just called them to confirm. Looks like I won’t be eligible due to the 30-days residency rule. Thank you for the info!

4

KnavesRadiant t1_iuhu75i wrote

No problem. You'll still want to send in your voter registration application online at your convenience so you will be able to vote in our next election.

Welcome to DC!

7

LivelyJellyfish t1_iuhznnv wrote

Anyone know if the same rule applies in Virginia? I just moved to Alexandria yesterday and was hoping to still be able to vote.

1

KnavesRadiant t1_iui0a0n wrote

It seems that Virginia has recently authorized same-day voter registration (as in, this is the first election that has it): https://www.elections.virginia.gov/registration/same-day-voter-registration/

You will need to look around on that website or use their "Contact Us" phone number to call and ask if there is a minimum residency rule there.

2

DocDez t1_iuhtpg5 wrote

Welcome home! Same sort of thing happened to me, it’s nice to finally be voting.

2

flights_not_feelings t1_iuiiukq wrote

I’m glad you love DC!! Where did you move from?

2

WhatTheFaDuck OP t1_iuijf23 wrote

Europe! And yes I love it here. I’ve wanted to live in a walkable city with good public transit for years, and this city has blown me away. I had that in Europe but where I was stationed was super rural so it wasn’t as easy. It’s just nice to live in a city for the first time (:

3

flights_not_feelings t1_iuim7qd wrote

You should visit Boston some time! I think Boston and DC are the best US cities and have a European-like charm to them while still being “American”. Both are so beautiful in their own way, and you can get around Boston without a car too!

4