FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Washington, DC – (July 15, 2025)– On Monday, the DC Council implemented Rank Choice Voting (RCV) for upcoming elections. At the same time, the Council refused to address open primaries, a measure that voters approved by wide margins. Despite research that shows RCV disenfranchises minority voters and objections from four of the twelve Council members, the Council opted to support the latest fad among progressive activists. Meanwhile, open primaries that increase voter participation will go unfunded and therefore remain unimplemented.
DC Republican Party Chairman Patrick Mara stated, “It is abundantly clear that the ballot initiative process in the District is broken. Initiative 83 passed by wide margins. Voters approved ranked-choice voting and a provision that allows unaffiliated voters to participate in partisan primaries, yet the extremist DC Council chose to selectively fund only the portion that caters to select political interests: ranked-choice voting.”
Mara continued, “There is a strong argument to be made that Initiative 83 passed largely because it promised to open primaries to independent voters. The DC Council’s refusal to implement that key component is a betrayal of voter intent. This follows a troubling pattern, including legislation allowing non-citizens to vote, that continues to dilute the voice of DC residents.”
He added, “Given the Council’s history of failed public safety policies and political overreach, Congress must take a close look at this legislation.”
The DC Republican Party is comprised of registered Republicans living throughout the District of Columbia in all eight wards who are nominated and elected to serve as members. It is a state party with three elected members of the 168-member Republican National Committee.
For further information or comments, please contact Nicole M. McClure, Executive Director of the DC Republican Committee, at nicole@dcgop.com
