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Voters 50+: Our Voices Decide

Ranked choice voting is coming to the District and voters must be ready

AARP

Published March 19, 2026

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During this June’s Primary Election, District voters will see a major change on the ballot. For the first time, Washington, D.C. will use ranked choice voting (RCV) in primary elections when there are three or more candidates are running for an office. It’s a new system and it’s especially important that older voters understand how it works.

AARP DC is working to help older voters, who have decades of experience voting one way, learn about and be comfortable with the new process. Any change to the ballot deserves clear and trusted explanations. Education will help ensure District residents can confidently navigate the new ballot.

What’s Ranked Choice Voting?

Under RCV, instead of selecting just one candidate, voters can rank candidates in order of preference—first choice, second choice, third choice, and so on. Ranking is optional. You can still vote for just one candidate if you prefer. And importantly, ranking additional candidates does not hurt your first choice.

So why does this matter? Ranked choice voting ensures that winners have broad support. If your first-choice candidate does not win, your vote is not automatically discarded. Instead, it can count toward your next preferred candidate. That means more voices are heard and fewer voters feel left out of the final outcome.

In the District, ranked choice voting will be used in races for Mayor, Attorney General, Council Chair, Council Members, Delegate to Congress, among other District seats.

How the counting works

First, all first-choice votes are tallied. If no candidate receives more than 50 percent the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. Votes cast for that candidate are then redistributed to the voter’s next choice. This process continues until one candidate reaches a majority and wins.

While the system is straightforward, unfamiliarity can be one of the biggest challenges for first‑time users, causing concern. Some older voters may worry about whether they have to rank every candidate or whether a mistake could affect their vote. That’s why education is so critical, because Voters 50 plus decide elections. They deserve clear instructions and confidence that their voices will be heard and their votes counted accurately.

That’s where AARP DC is stepping up. As a trusted, nonpartisan organization, with a presence in all eight wards, AARP DC is working to meet voters where they are. AARP DC will employ a mix of tools, including a candidate guide, virtual and in-person educational sessions, social media outreach, and partnerships with community organizations, to help voters understand the new system. The goal is simple: provide clear information on RCV and inform District voters where the candidates stand on the issues important to residents. Then let them decide who they wish to support.

For those who want to learn more right now, the DC Board of Elections website, dcboe.org, offers an interactive sample ballot where voters can practice ranked choice voting.

Change can feel daunting, but with the right information and preparation, District voters 50 and older can continue to make their voices heard, loud and clear.