DC Voters Approved Open Primaries in 2024. 86k Independent Voters Are Still Locked Out.

As Washington, DC voters head to the polls today for primary elections that will help determine the city's next mayor, congressional delegate, and other local leaders, more than 86,000 independent voters remain unable to participate. Although voters approved Initiative 83 in 2024 with a supermajority, directing the District to adopt both open primaries and ranked choice voting, the DC Council funded only the ranked choice voting portion of the measure, leaving independent voters locked out of today's election.

Nick Troiano, Executive Director of Unite America, issued the following statement calling on the DC Council to fund open primaries:

"For a city that has spent generations fighting taxation without representation, it's indefensible that 86,000 tax-paying independent voters are still denied the right to participate in the elections that matter most. DC voters approved Initiative 83 because they wanted all voters to have a voice in choosing their leaders. When the Council meets on June 23, it should respect the will of the voters, fully fund open primaries, and finally enfranchise independent voters."

Lisa D. T. Rice, the proposer of Initiative 83 and Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Grow Democracy DC, added: 

“Nearly three-quarters of DC voters approved Initiative 83. That wasn’t close—that was overwhelming. But right now, the Council has only funded half of it, to implement ranked choice voting, leaving independent voters excluded from the democratic process. Independent voters should have a say in critical primary elections that decide their futures. The Council should finish the job and fund semi-open primaries at their final budget vote on June 23. If we believe in democracy, we don’t ignore voters—we implement what they passed. No more excuses.”

‍For More Information: Ross Sherman, Unite America Press Director, ross@uniteamerica.org, 207-749-2660

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‍Unite America is a philanthropic venture fund that invests in nonpartisan election reform to foster a more representative and functional government.

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