District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics

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Election Year 2012

There are four elections scheduled in the District of Columbia for the 2012 election cycle. Click or scroll below for more information:

• Special Recall Election in Advisory Neighborhood Commission Single-Member District 4B04
  February 28
• Primary Election
  April 3 (major political parties only; winners advance to the November ballot)
• Special Election for Ward 5 Member of the Council of the District of Columbia
  May 15
• General Election
  November 6

This page provides information on the candidates, deadlines, and other information specific to each election. For general information on voting laws and procedures in the District of Columbia, explore the links above and to the left. For information on the requirements to get on the ballot, see our Candidate Guide to Ballot Access.

For the latest updates, see the Newsroom or follow us on Twitter. You can also find us on Facebook.

Recall Election in Advisory Neighborhood Commission Single-Member District 4B04

• Election date:
  February 28, 2012
• Contests on the ballot:
  Voters will cast ballots "FOR" or "AGAINST" a recall of the incumbent Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner.
  • Sample ballot
• Eligible voters:
  All residents of single-member district 4B04 are eligible to vote in the election.
  • Map of ANC/SMD 4B04 *
• Where and when to vote:
  Voters may choose to cast ballots early, by mail or using a touch screen voting equipment at the polling place on February 28, 2012.
  • Early voting:
    Board of Elections and Ethics
    441 4th Street, N.W., Suite 250 North
    Saturday, February 18 and Monday, February 20-Saturday, February 25
    8:30 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.
  • By mail:
    Requests for an absentee ballot must be received by February 21, 2012. An absentee ballot request form can be submitted here. Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received by the Board within 10 days of the election.
  • At the polls:
    Fourth District Police Station
    Community Room
    6001 Georgia Avenue, N.W.
    Polls open on February 28 from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Primary Election

• Election date:
  April 3, 2012
• Contests on the ballot:
  The Democratic, Republican and D.C. Statehood Green parties will select nominees of their political party. The winners of party nominations, along with independent and minor party candidates, will appear on the ballot for the general election on November 6, 2012.
  
  Presidential Preference
  Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives
  At-Large Member of the Council
  Ward 2, 4, 7 and 8 Members of the Council
  United States Senator (Shadow Senator)
  United States Representative (Shadow Representative)
  National Committeeman (Republican Party only; contest will not appear on the ballot for the Democratic Party or the D.C. Statehood Green Party)
  National Committeewoman (Republican Party only; contest will not appear on the ballot for the Democratic Party or the D.C. Statehood Green Party)
  • Candidates who have filed to appear on the ballot
  • Sample ballot (when available)
• Eligible voters:
  Only members of the Democratic, Republican and D.C. Statehood Green parties are eligible to have their votes counted in a primary election. The deadline to change party affiliation is March 5, 2012. Preregistered 17-year old voters who will be 18 by November 6, 2012 are also eligible to participate.
• Where and when to vote:
  Voters may choose to cast ballots early, by mail or using either paper ballots or touch screen voting equipment at their assigned polling place on April 3, 2012.
  • Early voting:
    Old Council Chambers
    One Judiciary Square
    441 4th Street, N.W.
    Monday, March 19 - Saturday, March 24 and
    Monday, March 26 - Saturday, March 31
    8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
    
    OR
    
    Choice of eight early voting centers (one in each Ward)
    Saturday, March 24 and Monday, March 26 - Saturday, March 31
    8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • By mail:
    Requests for an absentee ballot must be received by March 27, 2012. An absentee ballot request form can be submitted here. Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received by the Board within 10 days of the election.
  • At the polls:
    You can look up your assigned polling place here.
    Polls open on April 3 from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m
• Calendar of Key Dates and Deadlines *

Special Election for Ward 5 Member of the Council of the District of Columbia

• Election date:
  May 15, 2012
• Contests on the ballot:
  This special election has been scheduled to fill a single vacancy in the office of Ward 5 Member of the Council of the District of Columbia.
  • Candidates who have filed to appear on the ballot
  • Sample ballot (when available)
• Eligible voters:
  All registered voters in Ward 5 are eligible to vote in this election.
  • Map of Ward 5
• Where and when to vote:
  Voters may choose to cast ballots early, by mail or using either paper ballots or touch screen voting equipment at their assigned polling place on May 15, 2012.
  • Early voting:
    Old Council Chambers
    One Judiciary Square
    441 4th Street, N.W., Suite 250 North
    Saturday, May 5 and Monday, May 7 - Saturday, May 12
    8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • By mail:
    Requests for an absentee ballot must be received by May 8, 2012. An absentee ballot request form can be submitted here. Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received by the Board within 10 days of the election.
  • At the polls:
    Only the 18 polling locations in Ward 5 will be open. You can look up your assigned polling place here.
    Polls open on May 15 from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

General Election

• Election date:
  November 6, 2012
• Contests on the ballot:
  The winners of each major political party's primary election on April 3, along with independent and minor party candidates, will appear on the ballot for the general election. In addition, voters will select members of the nonpartisan State Board of Education and nonpartisan Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners.
  
  Electors of President and Vice President of the United States
  Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives
  At-Large Member of the Council (two to be elected)
  Ward 2, 4, 7 and 8 Members of the Council
  At-Large Member of the State Board of Education
  Ward 2, 4, 7 and 8 Members of the State Board of Education
  United States Senator (Shadow Senator)
  United States Representative (Shadow Representative)
  Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners
  
  • Candidates who have filed to appear on the ballot (when available)
  • Sample ballot (when available)
• Eligible voters:
  All registered voters in the District of Columbia are eligible to vote in a general election.
• Where and when to vote:
  Voters may choose to cast ballots early, by mail or using either paper ballots or touch screen voting equipment at their assigned polling place on November 6, 2012.
  • Early voting:
    Old Council Chambers
    One Judiciary Square
    441 4th Street, N.W., Suite 250 North
    Monday, October 22 - Saturday, October 27 and
    Monday, October 29 - Saturday, November 3
    8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
    
    OR
    
    Choice of eight early voting centers (one in each Ward)
    Saturday, October 27 and Monday, October 29 - Saturday, November 3
    8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • By mail:
    Requests for an absentee ballot must be received by October 30, 2012. An absentee ballot request form can be submitted here. Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received by the Board within 10 days of the election.
  • At the polls:
    You can look up your assigned polling place here.
    Polls open on November 6 from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

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