It’s the big show! The general election is less than a month away. Here’s what you need to know.
First, Are You Registered To Vote?
Before we go any further, let's check your voter registration status. If you’re not registered, the deadline has passed, but D.C. also offers same-day voter registration (just don’t forget proof of residence). It’s also the first year non-citizen D.C. residents can vote in local elections.
Where To Vote
You have three options: mail-in ballot, early voting, or election-day voting. Use this map to find your closest voting center or where to deposit your mail-in ballot. Drop boxes are now open and you can drop off your ballot anytime until Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 8:00 p.m.
What’s on the Ballot? Let’s Get Into It!
🗳️ Initiative 83
This year, voters get to vote on… how they want to vote! This initiative would allow independents to vote in primaries and introduce ranked choice voting to D.C. elections as soon as 2026.
Ranked choice voting – also known as instant runoff voting – lets voters rank candidates in order of preference. If no one wins a majority of votes, the bottom contender is dropped and votes are recalculated according to voters’ next choice. This process continues until a candidate reaches a majority.
We’ll be having a debate about I-83 on our City Cast DC podcast this Wednesday so definitely tune in to educate yourself before you vote.
Councilmember Trayon White Sr. leaving the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse. (Michael A. McCoy for The Washington Post via Getty Images)
🎱 Ward 8
Current D.C. Councilmember Trayon White, Sr. was arrested by the FBI for bribery – but has pleaded not guilty and is continuing his re-election campaign. He’s very popular in his ward and he could win, even amidst the ongoing investigation!
The council’s independent report won’t wrap up before the election, which means that White could win before the verdict is announced. This means he could hypothetically be expelled before his current term ends, but sworn in again in January, and then expelled again if that’s what the council decides.
🇺🇸 National Election
Because we’re not a state, D.C. is especially affected by the make-up of Congress. They have to sign off on any laws we pass and a Republican-led legislature can block laws (like D.C.’s criminal code reform in spring 2023) or prevent action in the first place through restrictive provisions known as riders.
Because of this, D.C.’s government is already preparing – mentally and legislatively. Political reporter Tom Sherwood shared the deets with us at our live taping at Black Cat earlier this month.
