DC Council votes to fund semi-open primaries, opening door to independents
Residents of the District of Columbia who identify as independent are allowed to vote in its 2028 partisan primaries after the D.C. Council voted to fund semi-open primary elections on Tuesday.
TL;DR
- D.C. Council voted to fund semi-open primaries for partisan elections starting in 2028.
- Independent voters, making up about 20% of the electorate, will be able to vote in either Democratic or Republican primaries.
- The measure passed with a majority vote, despite opposition from some council members.
- The decision is linked to Initiative 83, which also implemented ranked choice voting in the district.
- The D.C. budget will use $150 million from local reserves to avoid cuts to childcare and anti-poverty programs.
- The budget also includes provisions for housing vouchers, rental assistance, and pay raises for public employees.
- A final budget vote is scheduled for July 7.