Ranked Choice Voting / Initiative 83
What is Ranked Choice Voting and Why Does DC Use It?
Ranked choice voting (RCV) is a method in which voters rank candidates in order of preference. Beginning with the June 2026 Primary, RCV applies to eligible contests with three or more candidates. Voters may rank up to five candidates, including write-in candidates. In 2024, DC voters approved a ballot initiative implementing RCV, and the DC Council funded it in the FY2026 budget.
Which Contests Use RCV?
In DC, RCV applies when three or more candidates appear on the ballot for the following offices: - President and Vice President of the United States - Mayor - Attorney General - Chairman of the Council - Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives - Members of the Council - Members of the State Board of Education - United States Senator - United States Representative - Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner
How Do I Mark My Ballot?
Fill in the oval next to your first-choice candidate under the first column. If you have a second choice, fill in the oval under the second column, and continue up to five rankings, including write-in candidates.
If I Rank Multiple Candidates, Does That Mean I Voted Multiple Times?
No. Only one vote counts per race. Your second (or later) choice will only be considered if your first choice fails to get enough votes and is eliminated.
Key rules:
- You are not required to rank more than one candidate. Ranking additional candidates does not harm your first choice.
- Rank only one candidate per column.
- Do not skip rankings (e.g., ranking first and third but not second). Two consecutive skipped rankings make that contest inactive at the point of the consecutive skips.
- Ranking multiple candidates does not mean you voted multiple times——only one vote counts per race.
Later choices are only considered if your earlier choice is eliminated.
How Are Votes Tabulated?
All first-choice votes are counted. If a candidate receives a majority (50% + 1), that candidate wins. If no candidate reaches a majority, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and those votes transfer to each voter’s next-ranked active candidate. This process continues until a candidate reaches the majority threshold.
What Happens If There is a Tie?
Ties are extremely unlikely but, if one occurs at any step, it is resolved by lot—–the Board Chairperson or designee flips a coin.
When Will Results Be Available?
DCBOE will release interim results on Election Night, reflecting first-choice votes from mail-in ballots processed before Election Day and all in-person votes. Final results will not be known until all eligible ballots are counted. Mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day are accepted up to 10 days after the Election (by Friday, June 26, 2026).
Official certified results are tentatively scheduled for Friday, July 17, 2026. Note that Election Night results will look different from prior elections, and DCBOE will update results as ballots are processed.
What Should I Expect on Election Day?
Voting may take longer with RCV. Voters are encouraged to use Early Voting or return their mail-in ballot. Vote Centers will have educational materials and specially trained staff available to assist.
Where Can I Learn More?
- Attend a voter education event: www.dcboe.org/events.
- Practice at DCBOE’s RCV lab at 1015 Half Street SE — call (202) 727-2525 or email rcv@dcboe.org to schedule.
- Register for an RCV webinar (English and Spanish sessions available) at www.dcboe.org/RCV. Advance questions may be submitted to rcv@dcboe.org.
- Use DCBOE’s RCV tabulation app at www.dcboe.org/RCV.
Source: DC Board of Elections