On the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics Web site, you'll find:

• How to register to vote;
• A list of online forms to register or request absentees ballots;
• A explanation of the difference between general and primary elections;
• Maps and addresses for the city's polling places; and
• Contact information for the major political parties in the city.

This calendar lists key dates for the remainder of this election cycle:

Sept. 25: Final count of absentee ballots from primary.

Oct. 5: Deadline to register to vote for the general election.

Oct. 19-Nov. 2: Period for in-person absentee voting for the general election.

Oct. 27: Deadline to request absentee ballot by mail for the general election.

Nov. 3: General Election. Seats on the ballot: Mayor, D.C. delegate, council chairman, at-large council members, ward council member (wards 1, 3, 5 and 6), U.S. representative, at-large and ward members of the Board of Education (wards 2, 4, 7 and 8), and advisory neighborhood commissioners (299 seats).

Nov. 13: Final count of absentee ballots.

The D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics provides additional calendar information.