WASHINGTON (AP) — A recent ruling by a D.C. Superior Court judge has given a significant boost to the campaign advocating for ranked-choice voting and open primaries in Washington, D.C. The judge dismissed a lawsuit that sought to block the ballot initiative, clearing the way for its progress.
Initiative 83, as it has become known, aims to extend the right to participate in party primaries to independent voters and introduce ranked-choice voting to the city. Under the initiative, the more than 73,000 unaffiliated voters in D.C. would be able to take part in primary elections starting in 2026. Additionally, a ranked-choice system would allow voters to rank candidates in order of preference. Proponents argue that these changes would improve the accessibility of elections.
However, there are still hurdles to overcome before Initiative 83 becomes law. Supporters must gather enough signatures by July 8 for the initiative to be considered for the ballot. Additionally, the initiative may face further legal challenges and will ultimately need to secure enough votes on Election Day. So far, the campaign has collected more than 10,000 signatures, a third of their goal.
The D.C. Democratic Party has been a vocal opponent of Initiative 83, having filed both this lawsuit and a previous one last summer. The party argues that the initiative violates the U.S. Constitution and the city’s Home Rule charter. They assert that opening primaries to all voters would infringe upon the rights of association protected by the First and Fifth Amendments, and that the charter mandates partisan elections for certain positions.
It remains uncertain what course of action the D.C. Democratic Party will take next. Charles Wilson, chair of the party, stated that he will consult with party leaders to determine the next steps. Wilson emphasized the party’s commitment to advocating for Democrats and upholding the principles outlined in the Home Rule Charter.
On the other hand, Lisa D.T. Rice, the leader of the initiative and a Ward 7 advisory neighborhood commissioner, expressed optimism following the dismissal of the lawsuit. Rice believes that allowing independents to participate in primaries will lead to greater democratic participation and representation.
As the campaign for Initiative 83 presses on, collecting signatures and pushing for its implementation, the dismissal of the lawsuit has provided a boost of energy. Supporters hope that with the broader inclusion of independent voters and the introduction of ranked-choice voting, D.C.’s electoral system will become more democratic and representative.
AP contributors Meagan Flynn and Michael Brice-Saddler contributed to this report.