How ranked choice voting works.

For the first time, DC is using Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) in the 2026 primary. Instead of picking just one candidate, you can rank up to five candidates for each office in order of preference.

RCV is used in eligible contests with three or more candidates. You can still vote for just one person if you want to - it's as easy as 1-2-3 (and up to 5).

Rank like you read - left to right, from choice #1 to choice #5:

• Fill in the oval next to your 1st choice under the “1” column.
• Fill in the oval next to your 2nd choice under the “2” column.
• Repeat until you've ranked up to five candidates.

You don't have to rank anyone you don't want to, and ranking other candidates does not hurt your first choice. To vote for a write-in, print the name on the “write-in” line and fill in the oval for the rank you want to give them.

• Don't give two candidates the same ranking. If you rank two candidates as your #1, that contest on your ballot will not count.
• Don't rank the same candidate in every column. Ranking one person 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th won't give them extra votes - only your top ranking counts.
• Don't skip a ranking (for example, ranking 1 and 3 but skipping 2).

No. Only one vote counts per race. Your 2nd choice (or later) is only considered if your 1st choice is eliminated.

Ranking additional candidates never decreases the odds of your first choice winning - it just gives your vote a backup if your top pick can't win.

If a candidate gets more than 50% of first-choice votes, they win outright.

If no one passes 50%, counting happens in rounds. Each round, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. If your first choice is eliminated, your vote moves to your next-ranked choice. This repeats until a candidate has a majority (or, in two-winner races, until two candidates remain).