Coalition Will Lead Election Protection Presence at DC Voting Sites During June Primary
June 3, 2026
Washington, DC— Today, local organizers and advocates gathered at 14th and U St NW to discuss the nonpartisan DC Election Protection coalition that formed this spring to ensure all eligible DC voters can participate in the June primary election. This election will take place at a time when DC is under military occupation and as federal leaders have promised a “summer surge” of increased law enforcement.
Members of the coalition and allies, including Free DC, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Advancement Project, Washington Interfaith Network, Black Swan Academy, the Metropolitan Washington Council AFL-CIO, Harriet’s Wildest Dreams, denounced these threats and voter suppression tactics and called upon eligible voters in the community to make their voices heard and to vote in the June 16th primary.
“We are witnessing voter suppression all over the country, and DC is no exception. With an increase in tactical force and military presence during election time in DC, our Black and Brown communities will bear the weight of their presence. Voting is not just our civic responsibility, but it is our civil right. Advancement Project is proud to be a part of the DC Election Protection Coalition to protect communities against every effort to prevent eligible voters from exercising their right to vote,” said Carmen Daugherty, Interim Executive Director at Advancement Project.
To meet this historic moment, the DC Election Protection coalition announced that it will train and mobilize hundreds of grassroots and legal professional volunteers to assist voters at voting locations, answer voter questions and intake reports of problems through the nonpartisan Election Protection Hotline, 866-OUR-VOTE, and convene a rapid-response command center to respond to any issues that arise on Election Day.
“The Trump Administration’s ‘summer surge’ of more troops and more federal agents is a threat to our safety, our communities, and to free and fair elections here in DC,” said Keya Chatterjee, Executive Director of Free DC. “We know this regime wants to make us feel afraid. They want us to be afraid so they can take power, but we’re not going to let that happen. We demand a Free DC and we reject anything less.”
The DC Election Protection coalition is currently seeking volunteers to be physically present at DC voting locations on Tuesday, June 16. Find more information about this program and sign up to participate here.
On May 15, 2026, Gadyaces S. Serralta, U.S. Marshals Service Director, and Jeanine Pirro, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia announced that they would be increasing the number of National Guard members stationed in DC, bringing the total number of troops occupying the district to 5,000. Amidst this time of heightened security and increased enforcement, D.C. will hold its June Primary election. With the upcoming election, leaders at all levels of government have already begun to strike fear amongst the youth to diminish and lower their election participation. The heightened military presence may be another mechanism the government is attempting to influence the election results.
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The national, nonpartisan Election Protection coalition works year-round to ensure that all voters have an equal opportunity to vote and have that vote count. Made up of more than 300 local, state and national partners, Election Protection uses a wide range of tools and activities to protect, advance and defend the right to vote. Learn more at 866ourvote.org.
Advancement Project is a next-generation, multi-racial civil rights organization. Rooted in the great human rights struggles for equality and justice, we exist to fulfill America’s promise of a caring, inclusive, and just democracy. We use innovative tools and strategies to strengthen social movements and achieve high-impact policy change. Visit www.advancementproject.org to learn more.
Free DC is the renewed campaign to protect DC Home Rule and win lasting dignity for the people of the District of Columbia. Learn more and get involved at FreeDCproject.org.
