D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 3, r. 3-504

Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 50, December 13, 2024
Rule 3-504 - REGISTRATION TIMELINESS AND EFFECTIVENESS
504.1

Each voter registration application received by the Board shall be considered an update to any previous voter registration record if the applicant is already listed as a registered voter or whose name appears on the inactive list of registered voters, unless the applicant indicates that the change of information is not for voter registration purposes.

504.2

All voter registration applications and voter registration update notifications shall be considered to be received by the Board on the date that it is accepted for filing at the Board's office or other voter registration agency and acknowledged by date-stamp of the receiving agency.

504.3

All voter registration applications and voter registration update notifications that are received on or before the twenty- first (21st ) day preceding an election shall be considered timely filed. The effective date for registration and updates received on or before the 21st day preceding an election shall be the date the application or notification was received or postmarked, whichever is earlier.

504.4

All voter registration applications and voter registration update notifications that are received during the twenty (20)-day period preceding an election, other than voter registration applications and voter registration update notifications to either name or address received over the counter at the Board's office or at a voting place pursuant to this section, shall be held and processed after the date of the election. The effective date for registration and updates received in the 20-day period preceding an election, other than those permitted by this section, shall be the day after the election.

504.5

Voter registration updates to party affiliation shall not be considered timely filed during the 20-day period preceding a primary election. Requests for change of party affiliation status received during the 20-day period preceding a primary election shall be held and processed after the election. A change in party affiliation status occurs when a voter:

(a) Changes his or her party registration from one political party to another;
(b) Changes his or her party registration from "no party (independent)" to a political party; or
(c) Changes his or her party registration from a political party to "no party (independent)."
504.6

During the twenty (20)-day period preceding an election, voter registration applications and voter registration updates to name and/or address shall be considered timely filed, and effective as of the date of receipt, if:

(a) The application or update notification was submitted over the counter at the Board's office; or
(b) The application or update notification was filed at a voting place, provided that the application or update notification was also filed with valid proof of residence.
504.7

Valid proof of residence is any official document showing the voter's name and a District of Columbia home address or, in the case of an unhoused voter, 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 the purpose of non-driver identification card issuance. Proof of residence shall either be presented in paper or electronic form. A proof of residence document in electronic form shall be presented on a voter-owned device. The Board shall not be responsible for providing an independent wireless connection for voters to access documents in electronic form. Acceptable forms of proof of residence include:

(a) A copy of current and valid government-issued photo identification;
(b) A utility bill for water, gas, electricity, cable, internet, telephone, or cellular phone service issued within the last ninety (90) days;
(c) A savings, checking, credit, or money market account statement from a bank or credit union issued within the last ninety (90) days;
(d) A paycheck, stub, or earning statement that includes the employer's name, address, and telephone number and was issued within the last ninety (90) days;
(e) A government-issued document or check from a federal or District agency, other than the Board of Elections, issued within the last ninety (90) days;
(f) A current residential lease or rental agreement;
(g) An occupancy statement from a District homeless shelter issued within the last ninety (90) days; or
(h) A tuition or housing bill from a District of Columbia college or university issued for the current academic or housing term.
504.8

Voter registration applications or registration update notifications for name and address received at a voting place that fail to include valid proof of residence shall be held and processed after the election. The effective date of these registration applications and registration updates shall be the day after the election.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 3, r. 3-504

Final Rulemaking published at 43 D.C. Reg. 1078, 1081 (March 1, 1996); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 57 D.C. Reg. 3267, 3272 (April 16, 2010); as amended by Notice of Emergency and Federal Rulemaking published at 58 DCR 10752 (December 16, 2012)[EXPIRED];as amended by Notice of Final Rulemaking published at 58 DCR 941, 946 (February 10, 2012); amended 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 71 DCR 7243 (6/21/2024)
Section 504 (Voter Registration for People with Disabilities) is repealed and replaced with § 504 (Registration Through Voter Registration Agencies (VRAs)) pursuant to Notice of Final Rulemaking published at 59 DCR 941 (February 10, 2012).
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) (2011 Repl.).