Grow Democracy DC Civic Education Fund
In November 2024, District voters approved Initiative 83 with a decisive 73% majority. In July 2025, the DC Council allocated initial funding to begin implementation. Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) will officially be in effect starting with the June 2026 primary election
The Grow Democracy DC Civic Education Fund is dedicated to educating the DC community about RCV. Our three primary goals are to ensure that:
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Voters understand how to vote in an RCV election;
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Candidates understand how to run in an RCV election; and
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Election administrators are prepared to smoothly run an RCV election.
Voter Education
Our most important task is to prepare the electorate for its first experiences with RCV. The voter-education budget that the Council appropriated to the Board of Elections (Board) is vastly insufficient. This Project was created to serve as a trusted resource and to complement the Board’s efforts.
Our strategy is to meet the voters where they are. Beginning in August 2025, our educational team will maintain a proactive and persistent presence in the community — using both traditional and creative tactics — to include:
● Attending and sponsoring community events (festivals, parades, markets);
● Hosting premier educational events, including two large “RCV Fest” events;
● Running a strong communications plan centered on RCV education via newsletters, videos, social media, and paid and earned media;
● Holding on-site educational sessions, with emphasis on voters often overlooked (senior centers, public housing, returning citizens, etc.);
● Canvassing across all 8 wards (tabling, flyering, door-knocking);
● Engaging traditional anchors (neighborhood commissions, civic associations); and
● Co-hosting RCV teach-ins, town halls, and panel discussions with respected community organizations.
We will continuously track and evaluate our engagements to inform our staffing footprint and pedagogical approach over time.
Candidate Education
For the short- and long-term success of RCV in DC, it is important that candidates understand RCV and how to run a RCV election. Drawing on lessons learned in other RCV jurisdictions, we will tailor educational materials and offer in-person briefings for all candidates and campaign staff. On our website, we will make freely available more-detailed information on the mechanics of RCV for candidates and campaigns.
Technical Implementation
Our team will liaise with the Board of Elections, and with ecosystem partners like the Ranked Choice Voting Resource Center and the Center for Civic Design, to advise on correct technical implementation of RCV. The Board will design and test RCV ballots and tabulation through the winter. We will be available to:
● Advise on best practices for ballot design;
● Assist with trial elections and tabulation;
● Help the Board prepare for timely release of RCV results, and for interpreting results for the public and the press; and ● Assist the Board with its rulemaking authority to set certain RCV-specific election policies.