BREAKING: DC Council votes 8–4 to implement half of Initiative 83 🥳
Now Council needs to finish the job on July 28
On July 14, the DC Council approved funding to implement ranked choice voting for the 2026 election cycle.
By a vote of 8 to 4, Councilmembers adopted an amendment to the District's FY 2026 budget to provide the necessary funds to the Board of Elections.
This vote allows half of Initiative 83 to take effect. Now, the Council needs to approve funding for the other half: allowing independents to participate in primary elections.
The Council meets again for final budget votes on July 28. We expect them to finish the job and respect the full will of the people.
Initiative 83 was approved by a supermajority of DC voters in every ward last November. We won in every precinct across the city. (See the results.)
Almost 73% of DC voters voted to hold politicians accountable and make them work harder for everyone. However, those same politicians now control the fate of the initiative — because DC Council must approve a budget for implementing the initiative before it can take effect.
The DC Council must Defend DC and Respect 83 by allocating funding in the budget to implement all of Initiative 83 for the 2026 elections.
"Initiative 83 would make the election system fairer. The D.C. Council should fund its implementation."
By the Washington Post Editorial Board — July 7, 2025
What will YES on 83 do for DC?
Read the full text of Ballot Initiative 83. Initiative 83 makes political insiders uncomfortable, so there’s a lot of misinformation. Read answers to frequently asked questions to learn the facts.
A proven system: ranked choice voting
Under our current system, it’s hard to hold politicians accountable since they can win with less than 50% of the vote.
With ranked choice voting, you vote for your favorite candidate and rank your back-ups. If your favorite doesn't win, your vote moves to your next choice. The winner has to get over 50% of the votes.
This prevents unpopular politicians from winning in a crowded race and frees voters to vote their values, rather than "the lesser of the evils."
Let independents vote in primary elections
1 in 6 DC voters are blocked from voting in primary elections. Let's give every DC voter a voice in our most important elections.
There are many reasons people are independent:
- Their jobs depend on impartiality (journalists, judges, etc.)
- Young people are skeptical of the system
- Incarcerated neighbors living in red states
- Independent is the default option when registering at the DMV
Why we believe in Initiative 83
Uneeda Nichols
Why do you think DC needs Ballot Initiative 83?
“DC is one of the most diverse cities in the United States. A place where you should be able to be whoever you want to be. We should definitely be represented by people who align with our values. Since we are progressively growing, we need progressive representation. Initiative 83 represents that, allowing us to have the freedom of choice. Making all votes count is an awesome start.”
Frank Barr
How has your experience been on the campaign?
“My experience working on the campaign has been great. Many people are happy to sign the petition. Great team members and it gave me the opportunity to use my knowledge of the city.”
Ryan Prince
What does Ballot Initiative 83 mean to you?
“Initiative 83 means making DC a better place to live. More democracy is always better than less!”
Slobodan Milic
“In the early 2000s, I worked on a campaign in Dublin, Ireland, for a member of the Irish Parliament. Ireland has ranked-choice voting, and I realized that this system incentivized candidates to reach out to all voters, and pushed them to identify what unites us, instead of endless rounds of negative campaigning.
“I think DC would greatly benefit from this system – one which promotes more democracy and less polarization.”
Endorsements
Initiative 83 has been endorsed by two US Representatives; two councilmembers; more than fifty commissioners; and many more community leaders, organizations, and businesses (all listed endorsements by elected officials have been made in their personal capacity). See the full list of endorsers.
Washington Post: Put ranked-choice voting at the top of your list (Editorial)
Oct. 3, 2024: "There is no one trick to fix American democracy — but implementing ranked-choice voting in primary and general elections around the country could help. This reform is on the ballot in several states this year, as well as in D.C. It deserves to pass." Read the full story.
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD)
Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA)
US Representatives and DC statehood champions
“We are delighted to support Initiative 83, which would empower DC voters. We encourage you to vote YES on 83, and take this important step toward a better democracy.” – Rep. Jamie Raskin and Rep. Don Beyer