[PR] DC Board of Elections Announces New Early Voting Measures Amid COVID-19 Response

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 27, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, officials from the DC Board of Elections (DCBOE) announced new measures to increase voter access and safety during the 2020 June Primary Election and Ward 2 Special Election, amid the recent COVID-19 outbreak nationwide.

“As an independent agency, the DC Board of Elections is charged with ensuring that every voter is safe, and that every vote is counted. To that end, the DCBOE has been considering implementing expanded mail-in ballot capabilities,” said Michael Bennett, chair of the DC Board of Elections. “The recent nationwide COVID-19 pandemic has prompted us to continue with plans to encourage voters to request mail-in ballots to protect the public and election workers. The DCBOE is fully equipped to absorb the challenges COVID-19 poses to the voting process and has streamlined the process for citizens to cast their ballots by mail.”

Voters can request mail-in ballots online at https://www.vote4dc.com/ApplyInstructions/Absentee, via our mobile app (vote4dc), by calling the DCBOE at (202) 727-2525 or (202) 741-5283, faxing (202) 347-2648, mailing or dropping off in person a ballot request form (https://dcboe.org/Data- Resources-Forms/Forms-and-Resources/AbsenteeBallotRequestForm.aspx) to the DC Board of Elections, 1015 Half Street SE, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20003.

“District voters can already mail in their ballots thanks to our low-barrier, 'no excuse' absentee ballot process. We're taking a huge step forward to get a ballot into the mailbox of every District voter who asks for one while still maintaining some in-person vote centers. These are smart steps to protect the fundamental right to vote while adapting to unprecedented health and safety concerns,” said Councilmember Charles Allen, Chair of the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety.

“We are also working to expand early voting locations from 15 to 20, and citizens will be able to utilize these locations regardless of their home address,” said LaDawne White, spokesperson for the DC Board of Elections. “However, we strongly advise citizens to request a mail-in ballot. These locations, while increasing in number, will also adhere to CDC guidelines regarding COVID-19 and they should be reserved for those unable to request a mail-in ballot. It’s imperative that we protect our fellow citizens as well as the thousands of DCBOE volunteers and all of our employees, which means they and voters alike will be subject to stringent enforcement of public health guidelines to make sure they are safe and remain healthy, but also to ensure that every vote is counted with accuracy and integrity.”

“Mail-in ballots are safe, secure and simple. All of these measures are safe ways for citizens to vote, especially those belonging to vulnerable populations most affected by contracting the COVID-19 virus because voting by mail maintains physical distancing practices and allows people more time to vote,” added Bennett.

DCBOE will focus on the recommended means of prevention as outlined at https://coronavirus.dc.gov/ as well as the guidance provided by the Center for Disease Control (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/election- pollinglocations.html).

As the Primary Election approaches, DCBOE will continue coordinating with federal and local health officials and will implement any appropriate safeguards to minimize the risk for voters and election workers.

Voters who want to vote from home can request a mail-in ballot by visiting

https://www.dcboe.org/Data-Resources-Forms/Forms- andResources/AbsenteeBallotRequestForm.aspx .

DCBOE offers early voting for the June 2, 2020 Primary Election from Friday, May 22, 2020, up to and including Election Day on June 2, 2020, at One Judiciary Square and over 15 voting centers throughout the District.