| Country: | Washington, D.C. |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1994 United States Shadow Representative election in the District of Columbia |
| Previous Year: | 1994 |
| Election Date: | November 15, 1996 |
| Next Election: | 1998 United States Shadow Representative election in the District of Columbia |
| Next Year: | 1998 |
| Turnout: | 52.4% pp[1] |
| Nominee1: | Sabrina Sojourner |
| Party1: | District of Columbia Democratic State Committee |
| Popular Vote1: | 111,413 |
| Percentage1: | 83.4% |
| Nominee2: | Gloria R. Corn |
| Party2: | District of Columbia Republican Party |
| Popular Vote2: | 20,240 |
| Percentage2: | 15.2% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| Shadow Representative | |
| Before Election: | John Capozzi |
| Before Party: | District of Columbia Democratic State Committee |
| After Election: | Sabrina Sojourner |
| After Party: | District of Columbia Democratic State Committee |
On November 15, 1996, the District of Columbia held a U.S. House of Representatives election for its shadow representative. Unlike its non-voting delegate, the shadow representative is only recognized by the district and is not officially sworn or seated. One-term incumbent John Capozzi declined to run for reelection and was succeeded by fellow Democrat Sabrina Sojourner.
Primary elections were held on September 10.
Primaries were held for the Republican, Statehood, and Umoja parties but no candidates were on the ballot and only write-in votes were cast.
The general election took place on November 15.