United States Senator Ankit Jain Applauds Council Vote to Implement Ranked Choice Voting in DC

(WASHINGTON, DC)—United States Senator Ankit Jain (D-DC) issued the following statement in response to the DC Council approving funding to implement the provisions of Initiative 83 moving the District of Columbia to ranked choice voting, but not the provisions allowing independents to vote in party primaries.

“Following the massive victory of Initiative 83 on November’s ballot, winning more than 70% of the vote and a supermajority in every ward, the DC Council has today taken the appropriate steps to implement ranked choice voting in DC. I worked hard to successfully defend the initiative from congressional veto, and I have rallied support for the Council to uphold the will of the people of DC and fund the initiative over the last few months. I am thrilled to see our hard work on this matter pay off. Unfortunately, the Council’s vote did not fund the parts of Initiative 83 allowing independent voters to participate in primary elections. There is still time for the Council to find the funding for implementing this important reform, and I urge the Council to fund the fully expressed will of the people of DC and allow independents to vote in primaries starting in 2026,” Senator Jain said.

“As a voting rights attorney, I know exactly how much ranked choice voting will improve DC elections. Voters should look forward to more positive campaigns, more collaboration, and a Council that reflects the views of the majority of its constituents. Unfortunately, we must also stay vigilant for continued attacks from Congress on the initiative. I will continue to work hard to defend Initiative 83 in my role as DC’s Senator. I fully expect to defeat any attempts to roll it back,” Senator Jain added.

“Today is a great day for democracy and DC Home Rule. Don’t let anyone tell you big, transformative change isn’t possible. That is exactly what a determined group of advocates just did,” Sen. Jain concluded.