Do you have a 2026 Primary Election voting plan?
WABA fights for a just and sustainable region where walking, biking, and transit are the best ways to get around. Our elected leaders make decisions about what projects move forward and get funded, develop policies that inform how we get around, and oversee agency transportation planning, construction, enforcement, and maintenance.
This message covers transportation and related priorities for the next mayor, council, and council chair; DC congressional delegate and shadow senator and representative; and attorney general. We’ll follow up with a message on candidate positions and questionnaire responses. Thanks for including biking, walking, transit, and traffic safety among your electoral priorities!
Transportation Equity
WABA and aligned organizations believe that a person’s identity and experience—race, gender, age, and ability; how much money someone has; and where a person lives, works, goes to school, or visits—should not affect their access to convenient, safe, comfortable, and affordable transportation. We’ve shared a Transportation Equity Platform with candidates, to help educate them about critical considerations to create an equitable transportation system.
Transportation Sustainability: A Thursday, May 21 Forum
The DC Sustainable Transportation Coalition is hosting a Mayoral Candidate Forum on May 21st about the future of transportation and land use in the city co-hosted by DC Sustainable Transportation (DCST) and AIA|DC. Hear directly from mayoral candidates who will shape DC’s streets, transit, and urban spaces if elected to office during a forum moderated by Sarah Holder, co-host of Bloomberg’s “Big Take” podcast and a contributor to Bloomberg CityLab.
A DC Transportation Candidate Forum Recording
If you’d like to hear directly from candidates running for DC Mayor or for an at-large seat on the DC Council, you can check out a recording of the March 1, 2026 DC Transportation Candidate Forum WABA cohosted with the Bike, Walk & Bus PAC, the DC Transportation Equity Network, DC Families for Safe Streets, Greater, Greater Washington, Washington Parks and People.
A Smart Growth Vision
Our allies at the Coalition for Smarter Growth share their vision for an inclusive, walkable, transit-oriented, affordable, and thriving DC via their Smart Growth Principles for the 2026 Election.
Electoral Overviews
We’re fans of the 51st, a worker-led nonprofit local newsroom reporting on Washington, DC. The estimable Martin Austermuhle has compiled a detailed DC Voter Guide – what to know about everything on your ballot for the June 16 primary – with information and resources on each race and the candidates.
And the ACLU-DC’s How to Vote in the June 16, 2026 D.C. Primary Election is another valuable guide.
Key Dates
Mark your calendar for important dates related to the Primary Election.
- The deadline to change your party affiliation is on May 26th.
- Early Vote Centers are open from Monday, June 8 through Sunday, June 14th between the hours of 8:30 am and 7:00 pm.
- Election Day Vote Centers will be open on Tuesday, June 16th between the hours of 7:00 am and 8:00 pm.
- Mail Ballot Drop Boxes will be available beginning on Friday, May 22nd through 8:00 pm on Election Day, Tuesday, June 16th.
- Voted ballots returned via the US Postal Service must be postmarked by Tuesday, June 16th and received by Friday, June 26th.
Do you have questions? Call the DC Board of Elections at 202-727-2525 or visit www.dcboe.org.
Are you feeling confident about Ranked Choice Voting?
The 2026 DC Primary Elections will use Ranked Choice Voting (RCV). RCV is a voting method in which voters rank candidates in the order of their preference. RCV allows your vote to count towards other candidates if your higher-choice candidates receive the fewest votes in vote-tally rounds before a majority-choice candidate emerges.
Visit the board of Elections site to learn more, and check out Rank The District, posted by the Grow Democracy DC Civic Education Fund.
Stay tuned for candidate responses…
Now, please continue to a second post, DC is voting. What are the candidates’ transportation priorities?, compiling candidate responses to questionnaires that focus or touch on transportation. Please use your voice in the upcoming elections so the issues you care about get the attention they deserve, and thank you for your support.
Note: As a 501c3 nonprofit organization, WABA does not endorse candidates or contribute to campaigns, but we can and do educate candidates, share information about the candidates’ positions, and work to get out the vote. An informed electorate and responsive candidates are essential for a strong democracy!