Washington, DC Adopts Ranked Choice Voting
November 5, 2024 – Voters in our nation’s capital have overwhelmingly passed Initiative 83 to bring ranked choice voting to the District. The initiative currently leads, 73%-27%, and is winning in all eight of the city’s wards. DC voters join voters who passed ranked choice voting earlier today in Oak Park, Illinois; four states are also voting on adopting RCV, with results starting to be released later tonight. Ranked choice voting has now won 31 city ballot measures in a row.
“Voters in Washington, DC have said YES to better elections with ranked choice voting,” said Meredith Sumpter, president and CEO of FairVote. “Ranked choice voting has become the fastest-growing election reform in the nation because it empowers voters, rewards candidates who can deliver for the majority of their constituents, and makes our democracy work better for the American people. Today’s win is an amazing testament to DC voters turning their frustration with today’s politics into real progress – and more importantly, to the YES on 83 campaign for its work reaching residents across every ward on the merits of reform. We also congratulate FairVote Illinois on their win in Oak Park!”
“YES! DC voters have spoken and approved Initiative 83,” said Lisa D.T. Rice, proposer of Initiative 83. “Thank you to every single person who voted YES to let independents vote in primaries and to bring ranked choice voting to my hometown. The YES on 83 Campaign thanks the DC Board of Elections for their hard work administering this election, and we look forward to implementing both reforms beginning in 2026.”
In addition to implementing ranked choice voting in Washington, DC – including for president – Initiative 83 would let independent voters vote in a party primary of their choice.
Today, ranked choice voting has been used in 12 cities and states home to 5 million people, including for the presidential election in Maine and Alaska. Overall, 52 cities, counties, and states home to nearly 17 million people have now adopted ranked choice voting.
Given that ranked choice voting was used in only 10 cities and zero states in 2016, the growth trajectory remains strong – and making the ballot in four states plus DC marks a remarkable step forward for the election reform movement.
FairVote will release additional analysis as ranked choice voting ballot measure results are finalized, and as results are reported in RCV elections.
###
FairVote is a nonpartisan organization seeking better elections for all. We research and advance voting reforms that make democracy more functional and representative for every American.