District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics

• Voter Information
  • Register to Vote in DC
  • Update your Registration Info
  • Re-print Previous Voter Registration Request
  • Check your Registration Status
  • Find your Polling Place
  • Request an Absentee Ballot
  • Check your Absentee Ballot/Early Voting Status
  • Check your Special Ballot Status
  • General Information for Voters
    • History of Voting in DC
    • Offices on the Ballot
    • Primary and General Elections
    • Voting Equipment
    • Voter's Rights
  • Same Day Registrations
  • Downloads
• Election Information
  • Election Year 2012
  • Election Results
    • Election Year 2006
    • Election Year 2004
    • Election Year 2002
    • Election Year 2000
    • Election Year 1998
    • Election Year 1997
    • Election Year 1996
    • Election Year 1994
  • Election Day Workers
    • General Information
    • Payment
    • Apply to be an Election Day Worker
  • Polling Place Listing
  • Election Year Archives
    • Election Year 2011
    • Election Year 2010
    • Election Year 2008
    • Election Year 2006
    • Election Year 2004
• Candidate Information
  • Candidate Guide to Ballot Access
  • Calendar of Important Dates and Deadlines
  • Current List of Candidates for Office in DC
  • Current Elected Officials in DC
  • Historic Elected Officials in DC
  • ANC Commissioners
  • Campaign Finance
• Voter Registration Stats
  • Voter Registration Statistics
    • 2011
    • 2010
    • 2009
    • 2008
    • 2007
    • 2006
    • 2005
    • 2004
    • 2003
  • Registration Data Requests
• DCBOEE & Regulations
  • About the Board
    • Board Members
    • Board Management
    • Mission Goals
  • Meetings and Hearings
    • 2011 Meetings and Hearings
    • 2010 Meetings and Hearings
  • Administrative Orders
  • Election Laws and Regulations
  • Rulemaking
    • Rulemaking Notices
    • Proposed Rulemakings Open for Public Comment
  • Recall Process
  • DC HAVA Plan
• Newsroom
  • News
  • Events
  • Announcements

Guide to Candidate Qualification and Ballot Access: Preface

On behalf of the District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics, I am pleased to provide you with this Election Year 2010 Guide to Candidate Qualification and Ballot Access. This biennial Guide contains information for voters who wish to campaign for public office or to place a referendum or initiative on the ballot.

Although the requirements to qualify for the ballot remain the same, parts of this Guide have been changed to reflect dramatic changes to the voting process this year. Beginning in September, voters will be able to choose to cast a ballot by mail without excuse, at their choice of one of five early voting locations, or at their neighborhood polling place. Voters will also be able to register to vote at the polls on Election Day, although we strongly encourage every voter to confirm their registration at least 30 days prior to the election. At the polls, voters will check in using an electronic poll book and will cast their ballot in a new way – by filling in an oval on their paper ballot, rather than connecting an arrow, or on a touch screen that marks a voter verifiable paper record. As we provide voter education, please let us know if you have suggestions for opportunities to introduce voters in your community to the new equipment and procedures

The Guide has also been updated to reflect changes in how to request voter registration lists and other public records from our office. As we make more information available on our web site and by e-mail, we are reducing – and in some cases eliminating – fees for public information.

I encourage you to familiarize yourself with our web site and to sign up for our e-mail subscription list. If you have any questions about the District’s election process that are not answered in this Guide or on our web site, please call our office at 202-727-2525 or send me an e-mail at director@dcboee.org.

Rokey W. Suleman, II
Executive Director