DC Primary Voter Guide 2026: Who Ran by Ward and What's Next for November

The DC primary was held on June 7, 2026, and the candidates who emerged will very likely be on your November general election ballot. This guide is the canonical record of who ran across all 8 wards, what was on the ballot, the registration and polling mechanics that still apply for the general, and what to watch on the issues VoteClarity tracks — housing, education, public safety, and more.

Bookmark this page and use it as your reference through November.

Registration Deadline

DC Voter Registration Deadline — June 3, 2026 Online & mail · In-person same-day available June 7
  • Online registration: Closes June 3 at 11:59 PM via the DC Board of Elections dcboe.org
  • Mail registration: Must be postmarked by June 3
  • Same-day registration: Available at your polling place on June 7 — bring accepted ID
Source: DC Board of Elections (dcboe.org)

If you're not sure whether you're registered, you can check your registration status and update your address on the DCBOE website.

Looking Ahead to November

The June 7, 2026 primary decided who advances to the November general election. In DC, primary winners rarely lose in November — the city has not elected a Republican mayor in modern history, and primary competitiveness is effectively the general election for most Council seats. The races VoteClarity tracked heading into June 7 included:

  • Mayor — open seat, all candidates advance to the November general
  • Attorney General — non-partisan contest with a primary field
  • Ward Council Member — all 8 wards had contested primaries
  • At-Large DC Council — multiple seats, vote for the allowed number
  • Shadow Representatives — non-binding, informational races

Heading into November, the actual decisions voters will make are: which candidates' records on housing, education, public safety, and the issues you care about match your values — and which Ward Council member deserves another term based on what they actually voted for in office. VoteClarity scores every DC Council member against your issue priorities so you can answer that question in 90 seconds.

See how your Ward Council member actually votes

Enter your DC ZIP, pick the issues that matter to you, and get a personalized alignment score for your Ward rep — and the rest of DC's leadership — in 90 seconds.

Take the DC alignment quiz →

How to Find Your Polling Location

The DC Board of Elections has a polling place lookup tool on dcboe.org. Enter your address and the site will show your assigned ward, precinct, and polling location — plus a map and directions.

Quick steps: 1. Go to dcboe.org 2. Click "Am I Registered?" or "Find My Polling Location" 3. Enter your DC address (ZIP code alone is not enough for precinct-level lookup) 4. Your ward number, precinct, and polling address will appear

If you know your ward, you can also find your ward-specific resources at VoteClarity's Ward 1, Ward 2, Ward 3, Ward 4, Ward 5, Ward 6, Ward 7, or Ward 8 pages.

What's on Your Sample Ballot

The June 7 primary ballot includes the following races:

  • Mayor — Open seat, all candidates advance to the general
  • At-Large DC Council — Multiple seats, vote for up to the allowed number
  • Ward Council Member — Each ward elects one council representative
  • Attorney General — Non-partisan contest
  • Shadow Representatives — Non-binding, informational races

The DCBOE sample ballot lookup lets you see your specific ballot before election day. Check it before you go so you know the candidates and can research them in advance.

Your Ward at a Glance

Here's what each ward is voting on and who's on the ballot.

Ward 1 — Brianne Nadeau (incumbent) Chamber · Open seat
  • Council Member: Brianne Nadeau is running for re-election in a contested primary
  • Key issues: Housing affordability, tenant protections, education funding, public safety
  • Contested: Yes — primary challenge
  • Races: Mayor, At-Large Council, Ward Council, Attorney General
Ward 2 — Brooke Pinto (incumbent) Chamber · Contested
  • Council Member: Brooke Pinto seeking another term in a contested race
  • Key issues: Public safety, small business, housing, education
  • Contested: Yes — primary challenge
  • Races: Mayor, At-Large Council, Ward Council, Attorney General
Ward 3 — Matthew Frumin (incumbent) Chamber · Open seat
  • Council Member: Matthew Frumin running for re-election in Ward 3
  • Key issues: Education, housing, transportation, environment
  • Contested: Yes — primary challenge
  • Races: Mayor, At-Large Council, Ward Council, Attorney General
Ward 4 — Janeese Lewis George (incumbent) Chamber · Contested
  • Council Member: Janeese Lewis George seeking re-election
  • Key issues: Housing justice, public safety reform, education equity, worker rights
  • Contested: Yes — primary challenge
  • Races: Mayor, At-Large Council, Ward Council, Attorney General
Ward 5 — Zachary Parker (incumbent) Chamber · Open seat
  • Council Member: Zachary Parker running for another term
  • Key issues: Public safety, economic development, education, housing
  • Contested: Yes — primary challenge
  • Races: Mayor, At-Large Council, Ward Council, Attorney General
Ward 6 — Charles Allen (incumbent) Chamber · Open seat
  • Council Member: Charles Allen seeking re-election
  • Key issues: Public safety, transportation, education funding, housing
  • Contested: Yes — primary challenge
  • Races: Mayor, At-Large Council, Ward Council, Attorney General
Ward 7 — Vincent Gray (incumbent) Chamber · Contested
  • Council Member: Vincent Gray running for another term in Ward 7
  • Key issues: Education, economic development, health care access, senior services
  • Contested: Yes — primary challenge
  • Races: Mayor, At-Large Council, Ward Council, Attorney General
Ward 8 — Trayon White (incumbent) Chamber · Open seat
  • Council Member: Trayon White seeking re-election in Ward 8
  • Key issues: Public safety, education, housing, economic opportunity
  • Contested: Yes — primary challenge
  • Races: Mayor, At-Large Council, Ward Council, Attorney General

See all wards →

What to Bring

DC requires voters to present accepted identification at the polls. Accepted forms include:

  • DC driver's license or DC ID card
  • Passport or passport card
  • Out-of-state driver's license (for students and others who recently moved)
  • Student ID from a DC university or college
  • Voter ID card issued by DCBOE

If you don't have an accepted ID, you can vote provisionally and follow up with the Board of Elections. Same-day registration voters should bring proof of DC residency (utility bill, bank statement, lease, or government mail with your name and address).

Find Your Ward's Issues and Alignment Score

See how your rep matches your priorities

Pick the issues that matter to you — housing, education, public safety, and more. Get a personalized alignment score for your DC representative in 90 seconds.

Take the DC alignment quiz →

What to Watch Between Now and November

The candidates who came out of the June 7 primary will very likely be on your November general election ballot, and the choices you make in that election will shape DC for the next two years. Use the general election sample ballot lookup on dcboe.org to confirm what's on your ballot when it's posted, and check back here as we track how each campaign's stated priorities map to the council member's actual record.

Score your DC Council before November

Run the DC alignment quiz against your Ward Council member, At-Large members, and Mayor — so you know their actual voting record before you vote in the general.

Take the DC alignment quiz →

For your federal Congress alignment score — US Senate, House of Representatives — head to VoteClarity's alignment tool.

VoteClarity covers DC Council and federal Congress roll-call votes so you can see the actual record, not just the campaign pitch.

*All registration and polling information sourced from the DC Board of Elections at dcboe.org. Ward representative information reflects current incumbency as of June 2026.*