D.C. Democrats Oppose Initiative 83 Amid Election Reform Debate

Initiative 83 proposes allowing independents in primaries and adopting ranked-choice voting, sparking division among D.C. Democrats.

Initiative 83 aims to open D.C. primary elections to approximately 76,000 independent voters and implement ranked-choice voting.
Key Democratic figures, including Mayor Muriel Bowser and Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, oppose the initiative, citing concerns over voter confusion and dilution of the party's influence.
Proponents argue that the changes would enhance democratic participation and address the exclusion of independents from taxpayer-funded primaries.
The D.C. Democratic Party has actively campaigned against the measure, including legal challenges and public messaging efforts.
Supporters of Initiative 83 highlight ranked-choice voting's potential to encourage broader voter engagement and fairer election outcomes.