Story perspectives

DC Primary Uses Ranked Choice; George Leads, Police Chief Targeted

5/23/2026

Center

DC Board Webinars

The District of Columbia Board of Elections launched webinars to educate voters on the new ranked-choice voting system.
Washington, D.C. will hold a June 16, 2026 primary featuring mayoral, council, delegate and attorney-general races using ranked-choice voting.
Poll shows Janeese Lewis George a five-point lead over Kenyan McDuffie, favored by youth voters.
Mayoral candidates pledged to replace Police Chief Jeffery Carroll amid a lawsuit by Black officers.

Right

George Leads Poll

A City Cast poll shows 72% of voters favor youth curfews, backed by Kenyan McDuffie and opposed by Janeese Lewis George.
Mayor Muriel Bowser announced she will not seek a fourth term, opening Washington, D.C.’s first mayoral race in 12 years.
City Cast poll finds Janeese Lewis George ahead of Kenyan McDuffie five points among Democrats.
Ranked-choice data shows McDuffie with 27% second-choice support versus George’s 15%, narrowing the gap.

History

Historical Context

San Francisco adopted instant-runoff voting by a 2002 referendum to address low runoff turnout, becoming one of more than a dozen U.S. cities using the method after its first Board of Supervisors race in 2004 and a mayoral contest in 2007. Inspired by that experience, Washington, D.C. will employ ranked-choice voting in its 2026 primary, where candidates Janeese Lewis George and Kenyan McDuffie will compete.

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DC Board Webinars

The District of Columbia Board of Elections launched webinars to educate voters on the new ranked-choice voting system.
Washington, D.C. will hold a June 16, 2026 primary featuring mayoral, council, delegate and attorney-general races using ranked-choice voting.
Poll shows Janeese Lewis George a five-point lead over Kenyan McDuffie, favored by youth voters.
Mayoral candidates pledged to replace Police Chief Jeffery Carroll amid a lawsuit by Black officers.

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