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# DC Appeals Court Revives Democrats' Effort to Kill the Already Approved Initiative 83
- URL: https://ivn.us/dc-appeals-court-revives-democrats-effort-kill-already-approved-initiative-83-2025-02-10/
- Published: 2025-02-10T14:51:21.000Z
- Updated: 2025-06-18T23:41:41.000Z
- Description: Alex Koma of Loose Lips @WCP reports that a significant legal battle over Initiative 83 (I-83) has been reignited after the District of Columbia Court of Appeals ruled on February 6, 2025, to remand the case to Superior Court
- Author: Cara Brown McCormick
- Tags: Election Reform, Open Primaries, Ranked Choice Voting, Washington DC

**Washington, D.C.** – [Alex Koma](https://x.com/AlexKomaWCP/status/1887868864714756182?ref=ivn.us) of Loose Lips @WCP reports that a significant legal battle over **Initiative 83 (I-83)** has been reignited after the District of Columbia Court of Appeals [ruled](https://t.co/3I5l70Atnb?ref=ivn.us) on February 6, 2025, to remand the case to Superior Court

This action revives a lawsuit filed by D.C. Democrats challenging the measure’s legality. However, [more than 212,000 city residents already voted in favor of the measure in November.](https://ivn.us/posts/dc-voters-open-primaries-over-73000-independents-pass-ranked-choice-voting-2024-11-05) It passed with 72.89% of the vote.

Previously dismissed on procedural grounds, the appeals court has now determined that arguments on the merits of the lawsuit should proceed.

**Initiative 83** adopts **semi-open primaries** and **ranked-choice voting (RCV)** starting in 2026.

- **Semi-Open Primaries:** Traditionally, D.C. has used closed primaries, allowing only registered party members to participate. With the passage of Initiative 83, **independent and unaffiliated voters—who make up about 17% of the electorate—will be allowed to vote in party primaries.** Advocates argue this change will **increase voter participation and ensure a more representative selection of candidates.**
- **Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV):** Under this system, voters can **rank candidates in order of preference.** If no candidate wins a majority in the first round, the lowest-performing candidate is eliminated, and their voters' next choice is factored into the vote tabulation. This process continues until a candidate secures a majority. **Proponents believe RCV leads to fairer elections, discourages negative campaigning, and ensures winners have broad voter support.**

Current DC law also bars unaffiliated voters from changing their party affiliation after the twenty-first day prior to a primary election. If implemented, Initiative 83 would remove this restriction.

The initiative was spearheaded by **Lisa D.T. Rice**. **Delicious Democracy**, a local group focused on community engagement and political reform founded by **Brianna McGowan** and **Sam Jared Bonar** collaborated with Rice. Their grassroots efforts culminated in the successful passage of I-83.

Rice emphasized the measure’s importance, stating, *“Expanding the franchise to 75,000 people is something that should have been done long ago.”*

The court’s decision to allow further legal arguments could impact the initiative’s implementation, creating a potential hurdle for its supporters. However, voter rights advocates remain committed to defending I-83, arguing that it **expands electoral participation and modernizes D.C.’s voting system to better reflect voter preferences.**

Stay tuned for further updates as the legal battle unfolds.