717 ABSENTEE BALLOTS

717.1 Except as provided in this chapter, a duly registered voter may make a written request for an absentee ballot electronically, by mail, or in person at the Board's office.

717.2 A duly registered voter may request absentee ballots for all elections in the current calendar year.

717.3 Except as provided in § 719, no person shall be permitted to obtain an absentee ballot or execute an application for an absentee ballot for another registered voter.

717.4 A mailed or electronically received request for an absentee ballot shall be received from the registered voter by no later than the seventh (7th) day preceding the date of the election.

717.5 A request for an absentee ballot shall include the following:

(a) The voter's name;

(b) Election(s) for which the absentee ballot is requested;

(c) Address from which the voter is registered to vote;

(d) Voter's current residence address, if different from the address listed on the Board's records;

(e) Address to which the absentee ballot shall be delivered, if applicable;

(f) Voter's driver's license number or the last four digits of the voter's social security number;

(g) Voter's date of birth; and

(h) Voter's original signature.

717.6 An absentee ballot request sent electronically will be considered to contain an original signature.

717.7 A duly registered elector may request an absentee ballot in person not earlier than fifteen (15) days preceding the election, and not later than 4:45 p.m., of the day preceding the election.

717.8 If a duly registered voter who requests an absentee ballot provides a residence address that is different from the residence address listed on the Board's records, the application to vote absentee shall be considered a request for a change of address to the Board and the voter shall be issued a ballot for the current residence address.

717.9 An absentee ballot may be returned to the Board by any of the following ways:

(a) Mail;

(b) Brought to any polling place for deposit in the special ballot box on election day; or

(c) Delivered to the Board's office at any time before the close of the polls on election day.

717.10 All postmarked absentee ballots shall be postmarked not later than the day of the election, and all mailed (postmarked and non-postmarked) absentee ballots shall be received not later than ten (10) days after the election

717.11 The Board will take steps to reasonably investigate the timely completion of non-postmarked absentee ballots by checking tracking numbers or any other information available.

717.12 During the period for absentee voting in person, the Board shall be open Monday through Saturday, except holidays and the day before the election, from 8:30 a.m. until 7 p.m. The day before the election, the Board shall be open 8:30 a.m. until 4:45 p.m.

717.13 A duly registered voter who was mailed an absentee ballot and attempts to vote on election day or at an early voting center shall vote by special ballot.

717.14 The absentee ballot shall be counted as being cast in the ward and precinct where the voter resides, provided that the voter signs the absentee ballot envelope to certify that the voter has voted the ballot and has not voted in any other jurisdiction or in any other manner in the election.

717.15 Pursuant to D.C. Code § 1-1001.09, no employee of the Board shall reveal the name(s) of the candidate(s) for whom an individual has voted or whether an individual voted for or against any initiative, referendum or recall measure, or Charter amendment. Any employee who violates this section may, upon conviction, be subject to a $10,000 fine or imprisonment up to five years, or both, pursuant to § 1-1001.14 (a).

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 39 D.C. Reg. 2467, 2492 (April 10, 1992); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 51 D.C. Reg. 7416 (July 30, 2004); and as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 57 D.C. Reg. 4245, 4267 (May 14, 2010).