Like everything else in the District, the 2020 elections are affected by the outbreak of COVID-19. You still have two days to vote in person.
You can still vote in person for the 2020 June primary election, but not at one of the usual 144 precincts. Instead, DCBOE will operate what are usually the 15 Early Vote Centers as well as five additional, larger vote centers.
These 20 voting places will be open Monday and on primary election day Tuesday, June 2. Three in-person sites are in Ward 6, including at: King Greenleaf Recreation Center (201 N St. SW), Sherwood Recreation Center (640 Tenth St. NE), and Kennedy Recreation Center (Shaw, 1401 Seventh St. NW).
Monday hours are 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. On Election Day, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
To minimize lines for in-person voting, to maximize social distancing, and to reduce numbers of people in these Voting Centers, DCBOE wants to stagger voting times by last name. This is only a suggestion; the DCBOE emphasizes that no voter will be turned away. Voters are divided by last name and voting periods into a.m. and p.m. blocks. Voters with last names beginning from A to L and from M to Z are asked to come in on alternating morning and afternoon schedules. You can see the suggestion in the image below.
In light of the COVID-19 crisis, strict social distancing measures will be in place during line-up, registration or check-in and during actual voting at voter centers. Masks will be required to vote. Only ten voters will be permitted inside voting centers at any time, with line markers placed 6 feet apart outside. Those voting in person will have to wait in line, and lines may be long, especially on June 2.
Same-day registration will still be available at these voting locations. The voter will have to complete a Voter Registration Application, swear that they are a qualified elector, and present a valid proof of residence. Valid proof includes a copy of a current and valid DC DMV-issued i.d., government check or paycheck, bank statement, current utility bill, student housing statement or tuition bill, a homeless shelter occupancy statement, lease or any government address showing the name and address of the voter.
The District of Columbia Board of Elections (DCBOE) encouraged all residents to request a mail-in ballot and vote by mail in the June 2 Primary Elections. Requests to vote by mail had to be received at DCBOE by May 26, and DCBOE must receive completed and returned ballots by June 9.
For more information, visit the DCBOW June Primary Voter Guide, available at dcboe.org/Elections/2020-Elections.
