What DC Voters Will Decide on Tuesday: A New Mayor, the Council, a Delegate and Initiative 86

District voters head to the polls on Tuesday, November 3, to elect a new mayor and decide a full local ballot. Mayor Muriel Bowser is not seeking a fourth term, and three candidates are running to succeed her: Janeese Lewis George, a Democrat; Rhonda Hamilton, an independent; and Robert L. Gross of the DC Statehood Green Party.

The Council ballot runs from the top of the ticket down to the wards. Chairman Phil Mendelson, a Democrat, faces Republican Abi-Ananiah Prudent. Two at-large seats representing the whole District are contested by four candidates: Oye Owolewa, a Democrat; Elissa Silverman, an independent; Darrell Green, a Republican; and Darryl Moch of the Green Party. Ward races are on the ballot in Wards 1, 3, 5 and 6, with Ward 3 Councilmember Matthew Frumin running unopposed.

For Congress, the District elects a nonvoting delegate to the U.S. House: the candidates are Robert White, a Democrat; Denise Rosado, a Republican; and Kymone Freeman of the Green Party. Voters also choose a shadow U.S. senator, Paul Strauss or Robert Simmons, and a shadow U.S. representative, Franklin Garcia or Ciprian Ivanof - officials who advocate for DC statehood without holding voting seats. Attorney General Brian Schwalb, a Democrat, seeks reelection against Republican Manuel Rivera.

The ballot closes closer to home. Residents of Wards 1, 3, 5 and 6 elect State Board of Education representatives, and voters across the District elect Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners, who advise city officials on zoning, development, traffic and liquor licenses. Finally, Initiative 86, the Prohibiting Force-Feeding of Birds Act of 2026, would prohibit force-feeding birds to enlarge their livers and ban the sale or distribution of products made through the practice, including foie gras: a yes vote supports the restrictions and a no vote opposes them.