Fw: Updated W5LC Request for Nonprofit Assistance 2-19-2026
rbob.king
Finally!! Erase all the other copies. I was able to make the corrections on my laptop, but I have had enough!! I’m going to Best Buy on Friday!HazelRequest for Non-Profit Assistance with W5LC Ranked-Choice Voting Education and Outreach Summit
WHO:
The Ward 5 Leadership Council (W5LC) is a volunteer coalition of Ward 5 civic associations, ANC’s, business, faith-based and community organizations and leaders who collaborate to advocate for policies and actions of importance to Ward 5, especially long-term residents.
WHAT:
The W5LC will be presenting a one-day, nonpartisan Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV) education and outreach Summit at McKinley Technology High School in conjunction with the DC Board of Elections (DCBOE) will provide the educational and instructional materials, audio-visual presentations, and hands-on practice sessions for participants and campaign staffs. For information on how to vote using RCV, consult the DCBOE website, DCBOE.org.
Amalgamated Bank will be the principal sponsor for the Voter’s Education and Outreach Summit.
Goal:
W5LC recognizes that DCBOE has very limited time and budget to provide outreach and education for Ward 5?residents to become familiar with a completely new and complex voting system. To augment DCBOE’s efforts, our goal is to “leave no voter behind,” especially populations that have been historically disenfranchised based on race, ethnicity, economic status, physical or cognitive limitations.
Objectives:
Since most residents are predicted to vote by mail, the objective of the Summit is to ensure that Ward 5 voters and campaign workers: 1) better understand how RCV works; 2) better understand how to vote using RCV; 3) develop more confidence using RCV; and 4) are able to explain RCV accurately to others — particularly within communities that have historically faced barriers to voting access.
The event is intentionally designed to provide accessibility, dignity, and clarity to senior residents, vulnerable populations. Special emphasis is placed on providing outreach to elderly voters; voters with disabilities, including blind and visually impaired voters; voters with limited English proficiency; first-time voters; and candidate teams.
The education will be delivered through hands-on practice with voting machines and mock ballots provided by the DC Board of Elections (DCBOE), verbal and audio-first instruction, multilingual materials, and accessible learning environments. Separate rooms will be set up to provide briefings for: Seniors; first-time voters; the hearing impaired; voters with language barriers; ANC Commissioners and civic association leaders; campaign staff and train-the-trainers.
This approach will strengthen democratic participation, reduces ballot errors, minimizes misinformation, and prepares both voters and campaign workers to engage responsibly in an RCV election environment. The plan is scalable, compliant, and aligned with best practices for equitable voter education.
Community Partners
Our principal partner, Amalgamated Bank will be responsible for the continental breakfast and lunch for the 450 + participants who are expected to attend the Voter’s Education and Outreach Summit. Amalgamated Bank will invoice the caterers and other vendors who will provide critical services for the Summit.
WHEN and WHERE:
The W5LC will present the one-day Ward 5 Voters Education & Outreach Summit at McKinley Technology High School from 9 am to 3:00 pm on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
HOW:
We will deliver a single-day, high-impact voter education event that builds confidence and understanding of Ranked-Choice Voting among priority populations, while also preparing candidate teams to communicate how RCV works accurately and responsibly.
To assist voters become more familiar with the candidates and their platforms, the afternoon sessions will be devoted to a Candidates Forum that will include introduction of candidates for the following offices:
Delegate to the Congress
Shadow Senator
Shadow Representative
Mayor
Council Members-at-Large
Special Election for Councilmember-at-large
Ward 5 Councilmember
WHY
Expected Outcomes:
• Increased voter confidence and comprehension of RCV
• Reduced voter confusion and ballot errors
• Improved accessibility across ability, age, and language
• Better-informed candidate teams aligned with nonpartisan guidanceTarget Audiences
• Elderly voters
• Voters with disabilities
• Blind and visually impaired voters
• Voters with limited English proficiency (LEP)
• First-time voters
• Candidate teams (candidates, staff, volunteers) and volunteer community ambassadorsRequest for Assistance
To defray the costs of the Ward 5 RCV Outreach and Education Summit, the Ward 5 Leadership Council has requested financial assistance from several Ward 5 ANCs who routinely offer funds for community education and outreach. Education funds provided by ANCs must be funneled through designated 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organizations.
The W5LC does not have a 501(c) (3) designation, therefore it requests that the McKinley Technology High School PTO serve as a conduit to receive the ANC funds and disburse payments directly to the vendors who will provide the following services:
1) Five buses to transport seniors @ $500 per bus
2) One-Day liability insurance;
3) Signage for interior directions and room assignments:
4) Fee the school security team; and
5) Fee for the school custodian staff.
There will no expenses beyond those incurred on the day of the event on April 18, 2026. Our community partners, contributing ANCs and the McKinley Tech PTO will be acknowledged on all printed materials and media platforms.
Measures of Success
Participation across all target audiences
Successful completion of mock sample ballots
Self-reported confidence improvement
Accessibility utilization rates
Candidate team engagement and reported clarity
Follow Up
For questions or for more information, please contact the Co-Conveners of the Ward 5 Leadership Council
Robert “Bob” King, 202/427-2655 or Rbob...@comcast.net or
Hazel Bland Thomas, 202/491-9245 or Thomas...@aol.com