FW: W5LC Press Advisory re BOE Readiness for RCV
rbob.king
The Ward 5 Leadership Council – Improving the quality of life for all who live, work and thrive in Ward 5
THE WARD 5 LEADERSHIP COUNCIL (W5LC)
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate
Release Contact:
Hazel Thomas
NOVEMBER 27,
2025 Thomas...@aol.com
Co-Conveners, Ward 5 Leadership Council (W5LC)
Robert "Bob" King, Mayor of Ft. Lincoln for Life
Hazel Bland Thomas, Ward 5 Democratic Committeewoman
November 27, 2025: In a letter today addressed to all members of the DC Council, the Ward 5 Leadership Council (W5LC) urge them to support the emergency bill being introduced by Councilmember Wendell Felder at the December 2nd legislative recommending a pause in implementing Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) in 2026, and reinforced its commitment to assuring fair and equitable voter access for DC’s special populations.
This week's Committee on Executive Administration and Labor Roundtable chaired by Councilmember-at-Large Anita Bonds, raised significant concerns about the BOE’s readiness for the 2026 election, specifically its capacity to implement Rank Choice Voting preparation, hands-on outreach, education, and voters’ registration.
Based on Executive Director Monica Evans’ testimony, the BOE can stand up an RCV election as funded by the Council but will lack sufficient time for public education, preparation, hands-on outreach, education, and voters’ registration. Ms. Evans was unable to state that the Board of Elections has enough time or money to successfully educate the public on the new RCV electoral system; and Ms. Evans suggested that being asked to educate the public in time for the June primary would be asking her to work "a miracle."
Multiple resources are strained at the Board of Elections given the federal climate, including funds for increased overtime costs in FY26. Ms. Evans stated that the Board does not have a dedicated ranked choice voting implementation team, unlike other jurisdictions that have passed RCV. Furthermore, other jurisdictions similarly situated as DC have taken 2 years, sometimes more, of training and outreach before conducting an election using RCV.
Due to inadequate time and funding, we are deeply concerned that BOE will run the risk of leaving many voters behind. Although BOE indicated it can conduct a RCV electoral system, it has neither the time nor the resources to implement an effective RCV preparation, hands-on outreach and training program for seniors and special populations prior to the June 2026 Primary. The W5LC’s one-page report (below) outlines the special populations who have the potential of being disenfranchised by not receiving adequate hands-on outreach and education.
In addition, to an assessment of the needs to implement a ranked choice voting program, BOE will also need vendors to design and operationalize RCV hardware and software, as well as purchase additional touch screens since onsite voting will take longer. BOE only has four staff members who do outreach for the entire city, and it does not have staff dedicated to RCV preparation and implementation.
BOE will not have sufficient time to prepare DC residents to vote in the months between their proposed January 23rd kick-off to when ballots will be mailed out on May 11, 2026. Based on the testimony presented by Ms. Monica Evans on November 24th, we ask that you vote in favor of a delay until the required preparation, hands-on outreach, voter education and registration can be done effectively. There are 62 senior public housing properties citywide of which 25 are senior buildings; there are 58 private senior buildings citywide and 34 assisted living facilities citywide. Ninety days is not enough time to roll out a robust program for special populations protected by DC’s Human Rights Act and for our senior populations.
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