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State profile

District of Columbia elections & voting

Electoral votes, voting rules, and presidential results for District of Columbia.

How District of Columbia votes

In 2024, District of Columbia voted Democratic. It has backed the Democratic Party in its last 16 consecutive elections.

3
electoral votes
Voter IDNo-excuse absenteeEarly votingSame-day registrationAutomatic registration

Voting rules

No ID Required
Active

ID not required to vote

Voter ID
Effective: 1975
Universal Mail Voting
Active

All voters receive mail ballot automatically

Mail-In Voting
Effective: 2020
14 Days Early Voting
Active

Early voting available 14 days before election

Early Voting
Effective: 2010
Same-Day Registration
Active

Register and vote on Election Day

Same-Day Registration
Effective: 2012
Automatic Voter Registration
Active

Auto-registration at DMV

Automatic Registration
Effective: 2017

Election history

How District of Columbia has voted in presidential elections.

  • 2024DemocraticKamala Harris3 EV
  • 2020DemocraticJoe Biden3 EV
  • 2016DemocraticHillary Clinton3 EV
  • 2012DemocraticBarack Obama3 EV
  • 2008DemocraticBarack Obama3 EV
  • 2004DemocraticJohn Kerry3 EV
  • 2000DemocraticAl Gore3 EV
  • 1996DemocraticBill Clinton3 EV
  • 1992DemocraticBill Clinton3 EV
  • 1988DemocraticMichael Dukakis3 EV
  • 1984DemocraticWalter Mondale3 EV
  • 1980DemocraticJimmy Carter3 EV
  • 1976DemocraticJimmy Carter3 EV
  • 1972DemocraticGeorge McGovern3 EV
  • 1968DemocraticHubert Humphrey3 EV
  • 1964DemocraticLyndon B. Johnson3 EV

Timeline

2020s

2024
Election
Democratic
major

2024 Presidential Election

Kamala Harris won DC with 3 electoral votes

2020
Rule Change
Mail Voting
major

Universal Mail Voting

All voters receive mail ballot automatically

2020
Election
Democratic
major

2020 Presidential Election

Joe Biden won DC with 3 electoral votes

2010s

2017
Rule Change
Auto Registration
moderate

Automatic Voter Registration

Auto-registration at DMV

2016
Election
Democratic
major

2016 Presidential Election

Hillary Clinton won DC with 3 electoral votes

2012
Rule Change
Same-Day Registration
moderate

Same-Day Registration

Register and vote on Election Day

2012
Election
Democratic
major

2012 Presidential Election

Barack Obama won DC with 3 electoral votes

2010
Rule Change
Early Voting
moderate

14 Days Early Voting

Early voting available 14 days before election

2000s

2008
Election
Democratic
major

2008 Presidential Election

Barack Obama won DC with 3 electoral votes

2004
Election
Democratic
major

2004 Presidential Election

John Kerry won DC with 3 electoral votes

2000
Election
Democratic
major

2000 Presidential Election

Al Gore won DC with 3 electoral votes

1990s

1996
Election
Democratic
major

1996 Presidential Election

Bill Clinton won DC with 3 electoral votes

1992
Election
Democratic
major

1992 Presidential Election

Bill Clinton won DC with 3 electoral votes

1980s

1988
Election
Democratic
major

1988 Presidential Election

Michael Dukakis won DC with 3 electoral votes

1984
Election
Democratic
major

1984 Presidential Election

Walter Mondale won DC with 3 electoral votes

1980
Election
Democratic
major

1980 Presidential Election

Jimmy Carter won DC with 3 electoral votes

1970s

1976
Election
Democratic
major

1976 Presidential Election

Jimmy Carter won DC with 3 electoral votes

1975
Rule Change
Voter ID
major

No ID Required

ID not required to vote

1972
Election
Democratic
major

1972 Presidential Election

George McGovern won DC with 3 electoral votes

1960s

1968
Election
Democratic
major

1968 Presidential Election

Hubert Humphrey won DC with 3 electoral votes

1964
Election
Democratic
major

1964 Presidential Election

Lyndon B. Johnson won DC with 3 electoral votes