Voter Registration Deadlines: Find Dates for DC, Maryland, Virginia

Deadlines are approaching for voter registration -- and, in some places, early voting is beginning.

Here's a guide to the voter registration and voting dates in our area:

VOTER REGISTRATION

In the District of Columbia, online voter registrations must be completed by Oct. 11; mailed-in applications must be postmarked by Oct. 11. Registering in person at the D.C. Board of Elections can be done as late as Election Day itself, Nov. 8.

In Virginia, the voter registration deadline in Virginia is Oct. 17 for online, mailed and in-person applications. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Nov. 1 at 5 p.m. if you're mailing your request, or Nov. 5 at 5 p.m. if you're requesting one in person.

In Maryland, Oct. 18 is the last day to turn in an application online or mail it to either the local or state board of elections.

However, you can also register during early voting at the early voting centers in each county in Maryland. Early voting runs from Oct. 27 to Nov. 3, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

EARLY VOTING

Early voting in D.C. starts Oct. 22 at One Judiciary Square and on Oct. 29 at several community centers throughout the District. Go here for a list, hours and wait times.

Virginia does not allow early voting, but you can vote absentee (see below for details).

In Maryland, early voting starts Oct. 27. Go here for more information and a list of early voting sites.

ABSENTEE VOTING

Like voting deadlines, absentee ballot deadlines differ slightly from state to state as well.

If voting via absentee ballot in D.C., the Board of Elections must receive the request to receive the ballot by no later than November 1 (you can also apply online). Then, your voted balclicklot must be received by Election Day. 

In Virginia, applications to receive an absentee ballots in the mail must be processed by Nov. 1 by 5 p.m. (you can apply online here). The deadline changes to Nov. 5 if requesting a ballot in person.

Absentee ballots must be received by Nov. 1 in Maryland as well (here's a link to the form you'll need). You can also download an absentee ballot online, which must be done by Nov. 4.

In Maryland, you'll have to postmark your absentee ballot by election day, and it must be received by Nov. 18. You can also hand-deliver your voted ballot to your local board of elections by 8 p.m. on election day.

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