Get your pencils out! D.C.’s primary election is less than a month away on June 4. Here’s what you need to know before the big day.
First, Are You Registered To Vote?
Before we go any further, let's check your voter registration status. If you’re not registered, you can do it online or by mail (instructions here). May 14 is the registration deadline, but D.C. also offers same-day voter registration (just don’t forget proof of residence). It’s also the first year non-citizen D.C. residents can vote in local elections. If you’re eligible, you can register here.
Where To Vote:
You have three options: mail-in ballot, early voting, or election-day voting. Use this map to find your closest voting center or where to deposit your mail-in ballot. Drop boxes opened yesterday and are open 24 hours until June 4 at 8:00 p.m.
Who’s Running? Let’s Get Into It!
D.C. Council
🔄 City Council at-Large: Democratic Councilmember Robert White and his challenger Rodney “Red” Grant are going head to head, both focusing on crime and vocational education. No matter where you live in D.C., you can vote in this race.
2️⃣ Ward 2: Councilmember Brooke Pinto is running unopposed for reelection.
4️⃣ Ward 4: Councilmember Janeese Lewis George is facing two challengers in her reelection bid.
7️⃣ Ward 7: By far the most crowded race, 10 candidates are vying to succeed Vincent Gray, who announced he would not seek reelection. This one is shaping up to be quite spicy.
8️⃣ Ward 8: Two candidates are challenging incumbent Councilmember Trayon White, Sr., for the Democratic nomination. Whoever wins will face Republican challenger Nate Derenge in November.
Eleanor Holmes Norton. (Lorie Shaull/Wikimedia Commons)
U.S. House Non-Voting Delegate
This representative can serve on House committees and speak on the floor, but they have no Congressional voting rights. This year, long-time delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton is being challenged by Kelly Mikel Williams in Democratic primary. Republican Myrtle Alexander and Green Party candidate Kymone Freeman are running unopposed on their party ballots.
U.S. Senate Shadow Senator
Shadow senators are elected officials that cannot vote in Congress but would become full members if D.C. became a state. Incumbent Michael D. Brown has decided not to rerun, opening the way for a messy race between candidates Ankit Jain and Eugene D. Kinlow.
U.S. House Shadow Representative
Like shadow senators, shadow reps have no voting rights. But in D.C., the lower the stakes, the fiercer the competition. This year it is between incumbent Oye Owolewa and Vice Chair of the D.C. Democratic Party Linda L. Grey.
P.S. Keep An Eye On This
Councilmembers Charles Allen and Brianne Nadeau are facing recall elections. Those won’t be in motion by June 4, but they might mean more ballots later this summer. Catch up quick with the City Cast DC podcast.
