As of 2024, under District of Columbia law, eligible non-citizen US residents may vote in local elections. This law grants non-citizens the right to vote for the offices of Mayor, Attorney General, DC Council, State Board of Education, Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, as well as voting on ballot initiatives, referendums, recalls, and charter amendments. While non-citizens remain unable to vote for federal offices, such as President & Vice President or Shadow Senators, this law gives non-citizens the right to directly affect policy in DC.
In order to be an eligible non-citizen voter, residents must meet certain simple requirements. Under these voter eligibility requirements the voter must be at least 18 years old; have maintained residency in DC for at least 30 days prior to the election; not claim voting rights in another state, territory, or country; and have not been found legally incompetent to vote, as determined by a court. To learn more about how to register to vote as a non-citizen DC resident or find more examples of proof of residency, visit the DC Board of Elections website.
Many Languages One Voice (MLOV) work to promote DMV residents to exercise their right to vote. Through our Civics for All program, which is a series of training sessions led by immigrant community leaders, we bridge knowledge gaps in civic engagement. The program teaches participants about the US government, their rights, voting, and how to use this new knowledge within their communities. Graduates of the program have gone on to conduct Get Out The Vote outreach with MLOV.
Contact Us
For more information on non-citizen voting or our Civics for All program, please contact Nancy Leon, our Director of Advocacy, at nancy@mlovdc.org or call us at (202) 893-6190.