District of Columbia:

The Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) is the primary form for 
requesting registration and/or an absentee ballot from your local 
election official. Read all instructions printed below and on the FPCA 
before completing and signing your application.

[End of table]

Application Instructions:

Circled letters on the form above correspond to the instructions below. 
You must complete all shaded areas.

A. The last four digits of your Social Security number OR your District 
of Columbia Driver's License number is required for voter registration. 
If you do not possess either of these identifications, the District of 
Columbia shall assign a number that will serve to identify you for 
voter registration purposes.

B. Do not leave blank. Enter "N/A" if not applicable or if you are a 
first time voter.

C. Provide the complete street address of your District of Columbia 
voting residence. A post office box is not sufficient.

D. Print the complete address where you want your ballot to be sent --
usually your current mailing address. It must be different from the 
address you provided in Item 3.

E. If you do not list a party affiliation, you cannot vote in primary 
elections. You must indicate your political party affiliation when 
applying for a primary ballot (Example: Democrat, Republican) or write 
"none" in Item 6 of the FPCA. Political party affiliation is not 
required if only requesting absentee ballots for general elections. If 
you are currently registered and want to change your political party 
affiliation or you have previously declined to indicate a political 
party and you now want to vote in a primary election, you must submit a 
completed FPCA to the Board of Elections and Ethics which includes your 
new political party affiliation.

F. Check ONE box.

G. You must sign and date the FPCA. When signing, you are swearing or 
affirming that the information is true and correct.

I. Uniformed Services :

A.	 Who Can Do It:

These procedures apply to persons who are U.S. citizens, residents of 
the District of Columbia and members of the Uniformed Services and 
their family members. Uniformed Services are defined as the U.S. Armed 
Forces, merchant marine, commissioned corps of the Public Health 
Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

B.	 Registering and Requesting an Absentee Ballot:

You should send an FPCA to the Board of Elections and Ethics as early 
as 12 months preceding any election and whenever you change your 
mailing address (see Chapter 2).

To register and request an absentee ballot, send a completed FPCA to 
the Board of Elections and Ethics postmarked not later than 30 days 
before the election. If your FPCA is not postmarked, your FPCA must 
arrive at the Board of Elections and Ethics not later than 23 days 
before the election.

If you are already registered and only wish to apply for an absentee 
ballot, send a completed FPCA to the Board of Elections and Ethics so 
that it arrives not later than 7 days before the election.

C.	 Casting Your Vote:

Ballot Return Deadline: Voted ballot must be postmarked not later than 
midnight on the day of the election and must arrive not later than 10 
days after the election.

District of Columbia election officials mail absentee ballots not later 
than 35 days before the election.

If you are outside the U.S. and have not received your ballot in a 
timely manner, use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot. See 
instructions in Chapter 2, page 12.

Due to its Federal status, the District of Columbia does not send 
representatives to the U.S. Senate, however, it does participate in the 
election of the President and Vice President of the U.S. Additionally, 
a Delegate to the House of Representatives is elected.

D.	 Notary/Witness Requirements:

No registration or voting materials are notarized or witnessed.

E.	 Electronic Transmission of FPCAs and Ballots:

* The District of Columbia allows you to send the FPCA application for 
registration and absentee ballot by fax. After faxing, submit the FPCA 
by mail.

* The District of Columbia permits faxing of the absentee ballot only 
when military service prevents the applicant from receiving the 
absentee ballot and returning the voted ballot within 45 days. An 
application shall contain the reason that the applicant's military 
service prevents the applicant from receiving and returning the voted 
ballot through the mail process. Upon approval of an application, the 
voter is assigned a fax authorization number and required to sign an 
affidavit to waive his/her right to a secret ballot.

* Except in the special circumstances outlined above, the District of 
Columbia does not allow you to receive and return the voted ballot by 
fax.

Please refer to Appendix C for specific instructions when transmitting 
election materials electronically. Use the following numbers:

DSN 223-5527:

(703) 693-5527:

1-800-368-8683:

Additional international toll-free fax numbers are listed on the inside 
back cover.

Instructions continue in Section III: Uniformed Services & Civilians 
Outside U.S.

II. Civilians Outside U.S. :

A.	 Who Can Do It:

These procedures apply to persons who are U.S. citizens, residents of 
the District of Columbia and overseas citizens. The term "overseas 
citizen" means a U.S. citizen who resides outside the U.S. and (but for 
such residence) would be qualified to vote in the District of Columbia.

* District of Columbia residents temporarily outside the U.S. (for 
local and Federal office ballots):

* overseas citizens (for Federal office ballots only):

B.	 Registering and Requesting an Absentee Ballot:

You should send an FPCA to the Board of Elections and Ethics as early 
as 12 months preceding any election and whenever you change your 
mailing address (see Chapter 2).

To register and request an absentee ballot, send a completed FPCA to 
the Board of Elections and Ethics postmarked not later than 30 days 
before the election. If your FPCA is not postmarked, your FPCA must 
arrive at the Board of Elections and Ethics not later than 23 days 
before the election.

If you are already registered and only wish to apply for an absentee 
ballot, send a completed FPCA to the Board of Elections and Ethics so 
that it arrives not later than 7 days before the election.

C.	 Casting Your Vote:

Ballot Return Deadline: Voted ballot must be postmarked not later than 
midnight on the day of the election and must arrive not later than 10 
days after the election.

District of Columbia election officials mail absentee ballots not later 
than 35 days before the election.

If you have not received your ballot in a timely manner, use the 
Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot. See instructions in Chapter 2, page 
12.

Due to its Federal status, the District of Columbia does not send 
representatives to the U.S. Senate, however, it does participate in the 
election of the President and Vice President of the U.S. Additionally, 
a Delegate to the House of Representatives is elected.

D.	 Notary/Witness Requirements:

No registration or voting materials are notarized or witnessed.

E.	 Electronic Transmission of FPCAs and Ballots:

* The District of Columbia allows you to send the FPCA application for 
registration and absentee ballot by fax. After faxing, submit the FPCA 
by mail.

* The District of Columbia does not allow you to receive the blank 
ballot by fax.

* The District of Columbia does not allow you to return the voted 
ballot by fax.

Please refer to Appendix C for specific instructions when transmitting 
election materials electronically. Use the following numbers:

DSN 223-5527:

(703) 693-5527:

1-800-368-8683:

Additional international toll-free fax numbers are listed on the inside 
back cover.

Instructions continue in Section III: Uniformed Services & Civilians 
Outside U.S.

III. Uniformed Services & Civilians Outside U.S. :

A.	 Bars to Registration and Voting:

Persons currently imprisoned for a felony or found mentally incompetent 
by a court may not register or vote.

B.	 Action on Registration Requests:

A voter registration card is sent.

C.	 Action Upon Denial of Registration or Absentee Ballot Request:

Upon denial of your voter registration application or absentee ballot 
request, the District of Columbia shall provide you with the reason(s) 
for the rejection. Persons denied registration may appeal to the Board. 
Consult a legal assistance officer or civilian counsel.

D.	 Where To Send It:

Mail the FPCA to:

The District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics:

441 4th Street, N.W. Suite 250:

Washington, DC 20001-2745:

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