The proposed resolution, introduced by Councilmember Wendell Felder, declares an emergency regarding the need to amend the District of Columbia Election Code of 1955 to require the Board of Elections to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment for implementing ranked choice voting (RCV). This assessment will evaluate the District's institutional readiness, including voter awareness, public perception, equity and access impacts on marginalized communities, and best practices from other jurisdictions. The resolution emphasizes the importance of a detailed implementation plan, cost model, operational timeline, and a voter outreach and education strategy to ensure a smooth transition to RCV.

The resolution highlights that the current statute does not mandate a pre-implementation needs assessment, which poses risks of launching a voting system without adequate preparation and public understanding. It stresses the necessity of emergency legislation to ensure that the Board of Elections undertakes this critical assessment to safeguard voter access and prevent administrative failures. The Council determines that immediate action is required, and the resolution is set to take effect immediately after a single reading.