As Washington, DC, approaches its first mayoral election in more than a decade, the introduction of Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) is also a major change to the local voting process. It is important to understand not only how this RCV system works, but also how civic participation shapes the health and well-being of our communities and a democratic society.

On April 10, 2026, Mayor Muriel Bowser unveiled the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 DC budget, which includes significant reductions to several social safety net programs. The proposed budget makes several austerity cuts, including: (a) nearly eliminating the Pay Equity Fund, which is a critical wage subsidy for subsidy for DC child care workers, (b) drastically decreasing the long-fought-for locally funded paid family and medical leave (PFL) program, (c) reduces the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) to $7 million, which was reduced $8.6 million from $26 million in last year’s FY 2026 budget, (d) a $127 million reduction that freezes collectively bargained raises for most DC government employees, and (e) dropping the traditional $100 million baseline to a $50 million investment in local dedicated tax funds to the DC Housing Production Trust Fund in a deeply unaffordable economy with nearly 1 in 3 Black DC residents living in poverty. In addition, concerns continue to grow about healthcare access following changes made to last year’s budget, which effectively unexpanded the DC Medicaid program and underinvested in the life-saving, locally funded immigrant healthcare program known as the DC Health Care Alliance, in the midst of federal policy changes in 2025 via the One Big Beautiful Bill that are actively restricting public health care access to Medicaid, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act.

Why Election Systems Matter for Health Equity

For many District residents already struggling to make ends meet, these policy decisions carry serious consequences. Families who have lost healthcare coverage are now forced to navigate drastic increases in the cost of living while also worrying about access to medical care that was once available to them. These realities highlight an important truth: health is shaped by much more than doctor’s appointments and hospital visits. Health is deeply connected to the social, economic, and political conditions in which people live, work, learn, and age.

Public policy is one of the strongest drivers of health outcomes because it determines how resources, protections, and opportunities are distributed across communities. Decisions about housing, wages, environmental protections, transportation, education, healthcare, and labor policies all directly affect quality of life and long-term health outcomes. The fact is, a public health crisis does not begin in the emergency room; it begins with access to care in neighborhoods, schools, and the workplace. For these life-preserving reasons, eligible citizens must exercise their democratic right to change public health trajectories through the ballot box.

One often overlooked political determinant of health is voting itself. Studies show that communities with higher levels of civic participation are often better positioned to advocate for policies that improve access to healthcare, safe housing, quality education, clean environments, and economic opportunity. Conversely, communities facing barriers to political participation may also experience poorer health outcomes because their needs are underrepresented in policymaking. Voting is not only a civic responsibility, it is also a public health issue that requires access to public dialogue and political education to increase participation and advance health equity.

What Is Ranked Choice Voting?

As the District prepares to implement its first election cycle using the Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) system, the June 2026 Primary Election allows for eligible voters to select three or more candidates in order of preference for a single electoral seat, rather than just picking one. Here are important steps to follow to successfully participate  in the District’s new voting process that was approved by 73% of DC voters in 2024:

Step 1: Identify Eligible Contests

Check your ballot for contests with three or more candidates. In DC, RCV will be used for several key roles, including:

• Mayor of the District of Columbia
• Members of the DC Council (Ward and At-Large)
• Attorney General
• Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives
• Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner

Step 2: Rank Your Preferences

You may rank up to five candidates in order of preference, including write-ins.

• 1st Choice: Pick your favorite candidate and fill in the oval next to their name in the 1st column.
• Backup Choices: If you have a second choice, fill in the oval in the 2nd column. Continue this process for up to five candidates.
• Important Note: You are not required to rank multiple candidates; you can still vote for only your first choice if you prefer. Ranking other candidates does not harm your first choice or decrease their odds of winning.

Step 3: Avoid Common Mistakes

To ensure your ballot is valid and active, avoid these three errors:

1. Duplicate Rankings: Do not rank the same candidate more than once.
2. Shared Rankings: Do not give multiple candidates the same rank (e.g., marking two people as your “1st choice”).
3. Skipped Rankings: Do not skip a ranking (e.g., marking a 1st and 3rd choice but leaving the 2nd column blank).

Step 4: Understand How Your Vote is Counted

The tabulation process ensures the winner has broad support:

• Round 1: All 1st-choice votes are counted. If a candidate receives a majority (more than 50%), they are declared the winner.
• Elimination & Transfer: If no one has a majority, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. If your 1st choice was eliminated, your vote automatically transfers to your 2nd choice.
• Final Rounds: This process continues until a candidate reaches a majority or, in certain multi-winner races, until the required number of winners remain

Preparing to Exercise Your Democratic Right

As we prepare for the implementation of Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) in Washington, D.C., there are several critical dates to keep in mind:

Vote by Mail

All active registered D.C. voters and incarcerated voters who have registered to vote will receive a ballot in the mail. The DC Board of Elections plans to start mailing ballots on May 11. You can track your ballot here.

Vote by Drop Box

Drop boxes are tentatively scheduled to open on May 22. Complete and sign your ballot, and then drop it in a drop box by 8pm on June 16.

In-Person Early Voting: Monday, June 8, 2026, to Sunday, June 14, 2026, 8:30 am to 7 pm

Go to an Early Vote Center and vote by paper or electronic ballot.

You don’t need to bring any specific form of ID to vote in person, but if you are doing same-day voter registration, bring proof of D.C. residency with you (see acceptable documents for citizens here and for non-citizens here).

Vote In-Person on Election Day: June 16, 2026, 7 am to 8 pm

Go to any Vote Center regardless of your address, between 7:00 am and 8:00 pm, and vote by paper or electronic ballot.

You don’t need to bring any specific form of ID to vote in person, but if you are doing same-day voter registration, bring proof of D.C. residency with you (see acceptable documents for citizens here and for non-citizens here).

If you are incarcerated at the D.C. Jail, you can vote in person at the D.C. Jail during voting days.

For more information about voting rights in the upcoming DC elections, visit the ACLU of the District of Columbia website.