Planning to Run for ANC? Nomination Petitions Due by August 5

If you've been thinking about running for Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC), now is the time to get started.

Nomination petitions are now available from the DC Board of Elections for residents interested in running for ANC in the November 2026 General Election. Prospective candidates have until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, to submit their nomination petitions, petition supplements, and Declaration of Candidacy.

Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners serve two-year terms and represent their neighborhoods on a wide range of local issues, including development, transportation, public safety, liquor license applications, and public space projects. Although ANCs do not make final decisions, District agencies are required to give their recommendations "great weight" when making many local decisions.

To qualify for the ballot, candidates must collect signatures from at least 25 registered voters who live in the same Single Member District (SMD) they are seeking to represent.

Residents interested in running can pick up nomination petitions from the DC Board of Elections and should be sure to file all required paperwork before the August 5 deadline.

For more information about the ANC election process, visit the Board of Elections' ANC webpage, review the 2025–2026 ANC Handbook, or call the Board of Elections at (202) 727-2525.

Whether you're passionate about neighborhood development, public safety, transportation, or community engagement, serving as an ANC commissioner is one of the most direct ways to make a difference in your community.