D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 3, r. 3-503

Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 49, December 6, 2024
Rule 3-503 - REGISTRATION APPLICATION FORMS AND REQUIREMENTS
503.1

A qualified elector may apply to register to vote, or make subsequent updates to his or her voter registration information, with any of the following Board-approved forms. Any of the following registration forms may be submitted in-person at the Board's office or designated voter registration agency, by mail, or electronically:

(a) The Board's Voter Registration Application (in printed format or digital application);
(b) The National Voter Registration Application (or such nationally recognized form approved by the Election Assistance Commission);
(c) A Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)-issued driver's license or nondriver's identification card application where the applicant does not decline to register to vote or update his or her voter registration information; or
(d) For qualified military and overseas voters, a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) or the declaration accompanying a Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB declaration).
503.2

The Board's official Voter Registration Application shall not be considered valid if altered in any way for use by another individual, governmental agency, or organization for the purpose of registering electors in the District of Columbia.

503.3

An applicant shall provide the following information on any voter registration application or voter registration update notification:

(a) Applicant's complete name;
(b) Applicant's current and fixed residence address in the District, provided that an unhoused applicant may provide the address that appears on a DMV-issued non-driver's identification card that has been issued to the applicant where the DMV has authorized the use of a certified social service provider's address for purpose of non-driver identification card issuance;
(c) Applicant's date of birth;
(d) Applicant's original signature; and
(e) Applicant's DMV-issued identification number in the case of an applicant who has been issued a current and valid driver's license, or the last four (4) digits of the applicant's social security number (if any).
503.4

An applicant's signature captured digitally, or stored digitally at another voter registration agency, and transmitted to the Board shall be sufficient to constitute an original signature and effectuate registration and updates thereto.

503.5

If the applicant is unable to sign his or her name, the applicant may place his or her mark in the space provided for his or her signature and have that mark witnessed by the person assisting by having the witness also sign the voter registration application.

503.6

An applicant for voter registration who is unable to sign or to make a mark on a voter registration application due to a disability may apply with the assistance of another person as long as the individual's voter registration application is accompanied by a signed affidavit from the person assisting the applicant which states the following:

(a) That he or she has provided assistance to the applicant;
(b) That the applicant is unable to complete the application without assistance or sign or make a mark in the space provided for his or her signature;
(c) That he or she has read or explained the information contained in the application and the voter declaration to the applicant, if the applicant cannot read the information; and
(d) That he or she has read or explained the penalties for providing false information on the registration application, if the applicant cannot read the information.
503.7

Any applicant who provides on a voter registration application a registration address to which mail cannot be delivered by the U.S. Postal Service shall additionally provide to the Board a designated mailing address to facilitate any official communications required by law.

503.8

An applicant for voter registration may include an alternate mailing address in their voter registration application or registration update notification. All official communications required by law shall be sent to the voter at the residence address unless the voter provides an alternate mailing address.

503.9

A residence address provided by the applicant shall be sufficiently precise to enable the Board to assign the voter to the appropriate Ward and Advisory Neighborhood Commission Single-Member District ("ANC SMD") for voting purposes.

503.10

If an applicant for voter registration fails to provide the information required for registration, the Executive Director or his or her designee shall make reasonable attempts to notify the applicant of the failure. A reasonable attempt to notify the applicant may include a phone call, letter, or email. The Executive Director or his or her designee shall choose the most efficient method of communication based upon the contact information provided by the applicant.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 3, r. 3-503

As amended by Notice of Emergency and Proposed Rulemaking published at 7 DCR 7690 (August 20, 2010)[EXPIRED]; as amended by Notice of Final Rulemaking published at 57 DCR 11111, 11115 (November 26, 2010); repealed by Final Rulemaking published at 62 DCR 14744 (11/13/2015); amended by Final Rulemaking published at 65 DCR 6543 (6/15/2018); amended by Final Rulemaking published at 70 DCR15793 (12/15/2023); amended by Final Rulemaking published at 71 DCR 7243 (6/21/2024)
Authority: The District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics pursuant to the authority set forth in D.C. Official Code § 1-1001.05(a)(14).