The District of Columbia is the federal capital rather than a state.

Its civic life includes neighborhood government, local services, federal oversight, regional transportation, universities, tourism, public safety, housing, and the continuing debate over congressional representation and statehood. Residents encounter both local elected government and federal authority in ways that differ from the states. This profile helps readers orient themselves to D.C. For residents trying to reach the District of Columbia’s representatives or track a state decision, the tools below are the starting point.

Justice for All

State Motto
U.S. Representatives1Population-based districts
U.S. Senators0Same for every state
StatusFederal DistrictNot one of the 50 states
Federal Delegation

District of Columbia's voice in Congress.

Every state has two senators. Its number of representatives is set by population and can change after each census.

1Members total
1Districts
119thCurrent Congress
About Congress About the Senate About the House State Election Office

District of Columbia's Delegation

Choose a member to see their contact information, congressional work, and committee assignments.

At-Large

Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat)

The states are the laboratories of democracy.

Justice Louis Brandeis

State Leadership

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Governor

Mayor Muriel Bowser (Democratic)

Quick Facts

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Population

Approximately 693,645

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Electoral votes

3

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Congressional districts

1

Official Links

Use these sources to check current state records, filings, elections, and public notices.

DC.gov

Official District of Columbia state government portal.

DC Council

State bill text, committee schedules, and session information.

Elections Office

Elections, voter registration, and official filings.

Congress.gov

Federal bill text, actions, sponsors, and public laws.

How District of Columbia government works

District of Columbia government works through executive agencies, the state legislature, and state courts. Use this tab to choose the right path: agencies for services, the legislature for bills and hearings, and courts for cases, records, forms, and legal-help resources.

Executive Branch

Governor, agencies, and public services

District of Columbia’s executive branch is led by the governor and supported by statewide offices, departments, boards, and agencies. This is usually the best starting point for public services, licenses, benefits, public safety, transportation, revenue, employment, education, and other state-administered programs.

Legislative Branch

Council of the District of Columbia

District of Columbia’s legislature introduces bills, holds committee hearings, debates policy, approves state budgets, conducts oversight, and represents districts across District of Columbia.

Judicial Branch

Courts, records, and legal help

District of Columbia’s judicial branch handles trial-court cases, appeals, court administration, records, forms, and legal-help resources. Visitors dealing with a court date, filing, case search, legal form, or self-help question should start with the official state judiciary resources.

District of Columbia voting guide

This state-page tab brings together practical voting resources for District of Columbia voters. You can register or update your registration, check registration status, find where to vote, review ballot resources, learn about mail or absentee voting, and use official election-calendar links for final deadlines and dates.

Voting Tools

Plain-language tools that open inside this state voting tab.

DC Links

Official District of Columbia election-office links for deadlines, registration, polling places, ballots, accessibility, rights, and state election calendars.

Official election officeRegister to vote or update registrationCheck registration statusAbsentee, mail, and early voting informationFind your polling placeFind ballot and election informationVoting accessibility resourcesVoting rights resourcesElection calendar and dates

While we do our best to provide accurate information, be sure to use your official state election calendar for final details.