How to Vote

Ranked Choice Voting
Sample Ballot - Pinto, 2026

Example ballot with Brooke Pinto as the top choice!
 

D.C. uses ranked-choice voting in this election, so instead of picking just one candidate, you have the option to rank up to 5 candidates per race:

  • 1st choice = your favorite
  • 2nd choice = your next pick
  • 3-4th choices = your next picks
  • 5th choice = your least favorite pick

Votes are counted in rounds:

  • If a candidate receives more than 50% of first-choice votes, they win outright
  • If no one reaches 50%:
    • The lowest-performing candidates are eliminated
    • Their votes are redistributed to voters’ next ranked choice
    • This process repeats until a candidate reaches 50%

D.C. residents who will be 18 or older by November 3, 2026 – the date of the general election – and are registered as Democrats, Republicans, or DC Statehood Green Party members are eligible to vote in the June 16 D.C. election.

Every active registered D.C. voter – including incarcerated individuals who are registered – will be mailed a ballot. See the section titled “Incarcerated Individuals” for more information on registering and voting while incarcerated.

  1. Ballots start going out May 11 for all active registered D.C. voters.
    • Or request a ballot by June 1.
  2. Complete, sign, and mail it (paid postage is included) by June 16.
    • The ballot must be postmarked or otherwise have some kind of proof you mailed it by June 16 and it must arrive by June 26.
    • To confirm your ballot was received, contact:
  3. Track your ballot at votedc.ballottrax.net/voter.
  • In-Person Early Voting:
    • Monday, June 8 – Sunday, June 14, 8:30am–7:00pm
    • Go to an Early Vote Center to vote by paper or electronic ballot.
      • Early Vote Centers can be found at earlyvoting.dcboe.org.
      • Or use DC BOE’s Locator Tool to find the drop box or Early Vote Center nearest to you.
      • You don’t need a specific ID to vote in person, but if you’re registering the same day, you’ll need to bring proof of D.C. residency (see the list of acceptable documents for citizens and non-citizens).
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  • Vote in Person on Election Day:

    • June 16, 7:00am–8:00pm

    • Go to any Vote Center (your address does not matter) to vote by paper or electronic ballot.
      • You don’t need a specific ID to vote in person, but if you’re registering the same day, you’ll need to bring proof of D.C. residency (see the list of acceptable documents for citizens and non-citizens).
  • Voting Rights:
    • Incarcerated D.C. residents have the right to register and vote
    • This applies even if you are held outside of D.C.
    • The District of Columbia Board of Elections must provide voter registration materials to incarcerated individuals in:
      • The D.C. Jail
      • Federal Bureau of Prisons facilities
  • Registering to Vote:
    • At the DC Jail:
      • You can register or update your registration:
        • By mail using a registration form (must be received by May 26)
        • In person when voting at the jail
      • You can request a registration form by mail
      • You can confirm your registration by:
    • At a Federal Bureau of Prisons Facility:
  • Voting by Mail:
    • Registered incarcerated voters will receive a mail-in ballot. Ballots begin mailing May 11.
    • To vote:
      • Complete, sign your ballot, and mail it by June 16 (postage is prepaid)
      • It must be:
        • Postmarked (or show proof sent) by June 16
        • Delivered by June 26
      • You can confirm your ballot was received by contacting the Board of Elections.
  • Voting in Person (D.C. Jail Only):
    • If you are incarcerated at the D.C. Jail:
      • You can vote in person at the jail during the voting period
      • You can also register when voting in person.
  • Accessibility Support:
    • If you have a disability that makes voting difficult:
    • You can request accommodations to help you vote.