District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics

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Guide to Candidate Qualification and Ballot Access: Introduction

The District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics is the independent agency of the District government responsible for the administration of elections, ballot access and voter registration. The Board appoints the Executive Director, who is primarily responsible for the administrative operations of the Board. The Registrar of Voters oversees the Voter Services Branch, which administers the process of qualifying candidates and measures for the ballot. The Board’s web site is http://www.dcboee.org. Telephone inquiries should be directed to 202-727-2525.

Board operations are overseen by:

Errol R. Arthur
Board Chair

Charles R. Lowery, Jr.
Board Member

Vacant
Board Member

Rokey W. Suleman, II
Executive Director

Sylvia Goldsberry-Adams
Operations Manager

Karen Brooks
Registrar of Voters

Alysoun McLaughlin
Public Affairs Manager

Mohammed Maeruf
Information Technology Manager

In addition, the Board appoints a General Counsel, who serves as the Board's chief legal advisor and is responsible for representing the Board in all judicial proceedings relating to local elections, campaign finance, conflict of interest, lobbying laws, and other duties delegated or assigned by the Board.

Kenneth J. McGhie, Esq.
General Counsel

Candidates seeking nomination or election to office in the District of Columbia must also comply with requirements of the Office of Campaign Finance, which is administered separately to enforce District laws pertaining to campaign finance, lobbying, conflict of interest and financial disclosure of public officials. For more information, see the Campaign Finance Guide. Telephone inquiries for the Office of Campaign Finance should be directed to 202-671-0547.