For the first time in more than a decade, D.C. is staring down a truly unpredictable election.
Mayor Muriel Bowser and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton are retiring. Ranked-choice voting is making its debut. And thanks to the city’s overwhelming Democratic tilt, candidates who survive the June 16 primary are all but guaranteed to win in November’s general election — inheriting a city grappling with an affordability crisis, public safety anxieties and a White House that has shown a willingness to flex its muscles over local affairs.
Between the new ballot math and a special election scheduled for the same day, voting in this year’s election requires a bit more effort than simply checking a box for an incumbent. The following guide breaks down how this election works, the field of candidates and what voters need to know before heading to the polls.