WASHINGTON – A ballot initiative to introduce ranked-choice voting and semi-open primaries in Washington, D.C., has passed, AP calls.

DC joins two other states that have adopted and implemented ranked-choice voting: Maine and Alaska.

What is Initiative 83?

Initiative 83 asked voters if they wanted to let independents vote in primary elections and introduced ranked-choice voting in Washington elections.

When will Initiative 83 take effect in DC?

Semi-open primaries and ranked-choice voting will come into effect in 2026.

What does this mean for the DC primaries?

DC had closed primaries, meaning only Democrats and Republicans could vote in the primaries. Supporters of I-83 said it prevents independent voters from having a say in who runs in the November election.

But opponents — including Democrats and Republicans — said Initiative 83 would violate the district’s autonomy by dismantling D.C.’s partisan primary system.

With the passage of I-83, DC’s primaries will become semi-open in 2026.

How will this affect voting in Washington DC?

I-83 introduced ranked-choice voting, where voters choose their preference among five candidates, and these candidates compete against each other until one of them obtains a majority.

With the passage of I-83, ranked choice voting (will or will not be) implemented in the district by 2026.