DCHA residents will elect a Resident Commissioner to the DCHA Board of Commissioners this fall. Resident Participation Services, PLLC is the Independent Third-Party Monitor for this election. Election Days are Thursday, October 29 (NW/NE polling sites) and Friday, October 30, 2026 (SE/SW polling sites), with polls open 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The full schedule, eligibility rules, and property assignments are in the Policies & Procedures Manual below.
Key Dates & Deadlines
Nomination period begins
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Informational Meetings
August 24 to September 4, 2026 (citywide meeting Friday, September 4, 6:00 PM, Sibley Plaza)
Candidate Application & Petition Deadline
Monday, September 21, 2026, 5:00 PM
Eligibility Notifications
By Friday, September 25, 2026 (petition audit September 22-25)
Mandatory Candidate Training
Monday, September 28, 2026, 6:00 PM, Sibley Plaza
Polling Site Monitor Applications Due
Thursday, October 15, 2026
Polling Site Monitor Training
Friday, October 23, 2026, 6:00-8:00 PM, Sibley Plaza
Candidate Forum
Monday, October 26, 2026, 5:30 PM, Sibley Plaza
Election Day 1 (NW/NE sites)
Thursday, October 29, 2026, polls open 1:00-7:00 PM
Election Day 2 (SE/SW sites)
Friday, October 30, 2026, polls open 1:00-7:00 PM
Preliminary Ballot Count
Friday, October 30, 2026, 8:00 PM, Sibley Plaza Community Room
Preliminary Results Posted Online
Sunday, November 1, 2026
Grievance Deadlines
November 3 (October 29 Election Day); November 4 (October 30 Election Day)
Certified Results Posted
Friday, November 13, 2026
How to Participate
Run for Commissioner: have your property manager complete the eligibility verification, then submit your Candidate Application and petitions to RPS by 5:00 PM on Monday, September 21, 2026.
Work as a paid Polling Site Monitor: apply by Thursday, October 15, 2026.
Vote: go to your property’s designated polling site on your Election Day, October 29 or October 30, between 1:00 and 7:00 PM.
Fall 2026 DCHA Board of Commissioners Election Policies & Procedures Manual
Introduction
The purpose of this manual is to provide candidates and voters with information related to the DCHA Board of Commissioners Election.
The DCHA Board of Commissioners is the nine-member governing body of the Housing Authority. Effective with Resident Commissioners elected after January 1, 2026, two of those nine members will be Resident Commissioners elected by DCHA residents. Each Resident Commissioner will serve a three-year term of office. The three-year terms are staggered to ensure continuity in the operations of the Board of Commissioners.
Unless otherwise noted, all DCHA residents at public housing sites listed on the property list below may run for Resident Commissioner if they meet eligibility requirements discussed in this manual. We recommend that residents read the Board of Commissioners Bylaws and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations (24 CFR Part 964) for a full understanding of how the Board operates.
Below is a summary of the information contained in the DCHA Resolution 2026-04, which authorizes the procedures for the election of residents to the DCHA Board of Commissioners.
Duties of the Board of Commissioners
In summary, the Board has the authority and duty to govern DCHA, including:
to make and implement rules, bylaws, and policies and regulations necessary or appropriate for the effective administration of DCHA;
to make rules and procedures for the election of Commissioners;
to evaluate the Executive Director’s job performance;
to review and approve contracts for goods and services over $250,000;
to ensure that residents receive quality housing and services.
Compensation for Resident Commissioners
Each Resident Commissioner receives a stipend of $8,000 per year for their service on the Board. Each Commissioner is also reimbursed for approved travel and other expenses reasonably related to their official duties.
Board of Commissioner Meetings
All Board Commissioners, including Resident Commissioners, are expected to attend regular meetings throughout the year. All official actions of the Board must be taken in an open meeting.
There are at least ten (10) regular Board meetings each year. These are typically held on the second Wednesday of the month from February through December, other than August.
The Board holds an annual meeting on the second Wednesday in December, unless the Board decides otherwise.
For urgent matters, emergency meetings may be called by the Board Chairperson or by written request of any four Commissioners. Emergency meetings must be called and held in accordance with the DC Open Meetings Act.
All regular Board meetings are open to the public.
Resident Commissioner Eligibility Requirements
A resident who wants to be a candidate for Commissioner must:
be a public housing resident who resides at one of the sites set forth on the property list below, unless otherwise noted;
be named on the lease;
be 18 years of age or older;
be in full compliance with the lease and have no rental payment delinquency;
not have past due taxes, special assessments, or other charges owed to D.C.;
not (a) have any financial interest in any business entity that is directly or indirectly involved in any transaction with DCHA, (b) have any financial interest in any contract to which DCHA is a party, or (c) be employed by or be offered employment by a person or business entity which is a party or prospective party with DCHA. This prohibition also applies to the family of the candidate;
not be an employee of the federal government;
not be an employee of DCHA or the District of Columbia government or a spouse, domestic partner, parent, or child who is a DCHA or District of Columbia employee;
Not have a spouse, domestic partner, parent or child who is the head of a District department or agency or an elected official; and
not hold a position on any other District of Columbia board or commission, except as an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner.
For the candidates who ran in the May 2026 election and did not win the seat, they may run for the second seat. They must again meet all other eligibility requirements and collect the required signatures to be a candidate.
The winning candidate for Commissioner must file an affidavit of financial disclosure with DCHA General Counsel and Ethics Officer within thirty (30) days of their election and again every year of their term. In addition, the Resident Commissioner must make an annual filing with the DC Board of Ethics and Government Accountability. Candidates may be disqualified for failing to make their financial disclosures.
No person can be elected, appointed, or reappointed to the Board if the person has already served nine (9) years or longer on the Board, either in consecutive or non-consecutive terms. This requirement applies to all members of the Board.
Independent Third-Party Monitor
The services of an Independent Third-Party Monitor (“ITPM”) are required to ensure the fairness of the election process. Resident Participation Services, PLLC (“RPS”) was selected by DCHA as the ITPM for this Resident Commissioner Election. DCHA and RPS will ensure written notifications are sent to every resident at least thirty (30) days before the election date. RPS will receive nomination petitions and candidate applications, host a candidate forum where residents can learn more about the candidates, and administer the elections. RPS will also count the ballots on election day in a location open to residents and will issue decisions on any election grievances.
Informational Meetings
View Informational Meetings Information & Schedule
The informational meetings below are scheduled for each property listed on the meeting schedule below during the weeks of August 24 & 31, 2026. DCHA residents may attend the meeting scheduled for their property to find out more about the election process, how to run for office, and how to become a polling site monitor.
For residents who can’t attend the regularly scheduled meeting, a citywide informational meeting open to DCHA residents from all properties is scheduled to take place at Sibley Plaza, 1140 North Capitol St, NW on September 4, 2026 at 6:00 PM. A video of the materials covered at the informational meetings will be available afterward for residents who are unable to attend in-person:
RPS will distribute hard copies of this manual, Candidate Application Packets, and Polling Site Monitor Applications at all informational meetings. This manual and the applications are also available for download on the RPS website: https://www.residentparticipation.com/downloads/
Residents who cannot attend the citywide meeting or have difficulty with technology and cannot attend any of the virtual meetings, may call RPS at 202-596-2675 and leave a message asking for us to review the policies and procedures over the phone.
Informational notices will be posted at every property by August 16, 2026. The nomination period begins Wednesday, August 19, 2026, when RPS begins accepting completed Candidate Applications.
Informational Meeting Schedule
The following informational meetings are scheduled at each DCHA property during the weeks of August 24 & 31, 2026. Residents may attend the meeting at their property to learn more about the election process, how to run for office, and how to become a polling site monitor.
Week 1 — Monday, August 24
Property
Address
Time
Horizon House
1150 12th St NW
10:00 AM
Claridge Towers
1221 M St NW
10:30 AM
James Apartments
1425 N St NW
11:00 AM
Garfield Terrace
2301 11th St NW, 9th floor community room
12:00 PM
Kelly Miller
238 W St NW
4:00 PM
Week 1 — Tuesday, August 25
Property
Address
Time
Colorado Apartments
5336 Colorado Ave NW
10:00 AM
Regency House
5201 Connecticut Ave NW
11:00 AM
Columbia Road
1475 Columbia Rd NW
4:00 PM
Ontario Rd
2422 Ontario Rd NW
5:00 PM
Week 1 — Wednesday, August 26
Property
Address
Time
Fort Lincoln
3400 Banneker Dr NE
10:00 AM
Montana Terrace
1625 Montana Ave NE, Recreation Center
1:00 PM
Week 1 — Thursday, August 27
Property
Address
Time
Carroll Apartments
410 M St SE
10:00 AM
Kentucky Courts
1336 D St SE
10:30 AM
Potomac Gardens Sr.
1229 G St SE
11:00 AM
Knox Hill
2700 Jasper St SE
11:30 AM
Potomac Gardens Fam.
700 12th St SE, Recreation Center
5:00 PM
Week 1 — Friday, August 28
Property
Address
Time
Greenleaf Senior
1200 Delaware Ave SW, Recreation Room
10:00 AM
Syphax Gardens
1501 Half St SW #21, Resident Council Office
11:00 AM
Woodland Terrace
2310 Ainger Pl SE
11:30 AM
Highland Dwellings
662 Atlantic St SE, Resident Council office
12:00 PM
James Creek
100 N St SW, Resident Council office
2:00 PM
Greenleaf Gardens
205 L St SW, Resident Council office
3:00 PM
Greenleaf Midrise
203 N St SW, Family Enhancement Center
3:30 PM
Week 2 — Monday, August 31
Property
Address
Time
Richardson Dwellings
5319 1/2 Dix St NE
10:00 AM
Lincoln Heights
400 50th St NE, Enhancement Center
5:00 PM
MetroTowns / Kenilworth Courts
4500 Quarles St NE, Resident Council office
6:00 PM
Week 2 — Tuesday, September 1
Property
Address
Time
Judiciary House
461 H St NW
11:30 AM
Arthur Capper Sr
900 5th St SE
3:00 PM
Hopkins Apts
1430 L St SE, Community room — rear of building
4:00 PM
Week 2 — Wednesday, September 2
Property
Address
Time
Harvard Towers
1845 Harvard St NW
12:00 PM
Ledroit Apartments
2125 4th St NW
1:00 PM
Lincoln Road
11 R St NE, Lower level — Resident Council office
4:00 PM
Langston Dwellings
667 24th St NE
5:00 PM
Week 2 — Thursday, September 3
Property
Address
Time
Benning Terrace / Marley Ridge
4450 G St SE, Community room
3:00 PM
Elvans Road
2444 1/2 Elvans Rd SE, Community center
4:00 PM
Fort Dupont/Stoddert
155 Ridge Rd SE
5:00 PM
Week 2 — Friday, September 4
Property
Address
Time
Highland Addition
3828 9th St SE
4:30 PM
Citywide Informational Meeting
Friday, September 4 at 6:00 PM — Sibley Plaza, 1140 North Capitol St NW
View Candidate Application Process, Training & Ethics
Any resident who wishes to run for a Commissioner seat must follow the following steps, in order:
Have your property manager fill out the Property Manager Eligibility Verification form. The property manager must verify that the applicant is eligible to be a candidate for Commissioner. If your property manager states that you are not eligible, you cannot run for Commissioner.
Complete the entire Candidate Application and submit it to RPS no later than 5:00PM on the due date listed on the Application. Applications can be submitted by mail, fax, online form, or email found on the cover page of this manual.
All candidates must fulfill the nomination petition requirements. Candidate applicants must get signatures on the official petitions provided by RPS and found on the RPS website. Signatures that are not provided on the official petition will not be considered. All signature petitions must be accompanied by a Signature Gatherer Statement completed by the individual who gathered the signatures.
property candidates must gather at least 200 signatures. No more than 40 signatures can come from any one property.
Nominating petitions will be reviewed and verified to ensure these requirements have been met.
Once successfully completed, the nominations process qualifies candidates to attend the Candidate Training, officially begin campaigning, appear on the ballot, and participate in the Candidate Forum.
Candidates who campaign before attending the training risk being disqualified for violating election policies and procedures.
Fall 2026 timeline: Applications and nominating petitions are due by 5:00 PM on Monday, September 21, 2026. RPS will audit nominating petitions September 22-25 and notify applicants of their eligibility or ineligibility by Friday, September 25, 2026.
Candidate Training
The Candidate Training will be held on Monday, September 28, 2026, at 6:00 PM at the Sibley Plaza Community Room, 1140 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20003.
Attendees will receive training on the timetable for important dates, campaign etiquette, and election procedures. The ITPM will also draw the candidate’s ballot order at this meeting. RPS will certify candidates who attend the candidate training. Once certified, candidates will be included on the ballot.
Candidate notices will be posted at every property October 1-3, 2026.
Candidate Ethics, Integrity & Professional Behavior
Start of Campaign. Immediately after the Candidate Training, the campaign begins.
Committees. Candidates are allowed to receive help from friends or form a committee to help get the word out during their candidacy. Candidates should remain cautious at all times of their actions and those of their supporters. Any damage to the property of another may result in disqualification of the candidate at any time prior to, during or after the election.
Inclusion. Candidates should be sensitive to the fact that people from a variety of racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds and abilities reside in public housing and that all residents have the opportunity to participate fully in the election process. Candidates should campaign in a professional and positive manner, avoiding disparaging or negative comments against other candidates.
Distributing Notices. Candidates are advised to contact property managers before posting fliers in public areas.
The Role of Resident Councils
View The Role of Resident Councils
Resident Councils and their members can play an important and helpful role in the election process. Resident Councils are encouraged to:
Motivate residents to exercise their voting rights;
Educate candidates on the needs of the community;
Help recruit Polling Site Monitors;
Distribute Candidate Applications;
Distribute and help fax Polling Site Monitor applications to RPS;
Distribute flyers about the Candidate Forum;
Post a schedule of candidate and election-related activities;
Identify and facilitate reasonable accommodations for disabled voters;
Help ensure the integrity of the election process; and
Hold elected Resident Commissioners accountable to residents.
Polling Site Monitors (“PSMs”)
RPS will pay PSMs $18.40 per hour to work on each Election Day and for the PSM Training. PSM Applications will be provided at informational meetings and online at: https://www.residentparticipation.com/downloads. Those interested in working as a PSMs must fax, mail, or email their applications to RPS, or complete the online form. PSMs are required to fill out tax paperwork in order to be paid. Taxes will be withheld from PSM paychecks. Payments will be mailed to PSMs within two weeks after the last Election Day.
NOTE: Candidates for Commissioner and their family members cannot work as Polling Site Monitors.
Polling Site Monitor applications are due Thursday, October 15, 2026.
Candidate Forum
The Candidate Forum will be held at 5:30 pm on Monday, October 26, 2026 at the Sibley Plaza Community Room, 1140 North Capitol Street NW, Washington DC 20003.
At this forum, candidates will have the opportunity to give a short speech, answer questions from residents and provide their campaign materials to residents.
Candidate Disqualification
Any candidate who is found to violate any rule of this election process, including but not limited to the following activities or omissions will be disqualified from the election. Disqualification can occur at any time, including after the election on the basis of:
Submitting false statements to the ITPM regarding the election;
Bribery, cheating, or stuffing the ballot box;
Encouraging ineligible persons to vote or sign a nominating petition;
Defacing or destroying posters or campaign literature of other candidates;
Using Resident Council restricted funds for campaign purposes;
Threatening or interfering with voters’ ability to vote;
Missing deadlines for candidate applications or financial disclosures; or
Engaging in dishonesty with regard to the election, including filing grievances for the purpose of gaining an electoral advantage or submitting false or fraudulent materials to the ITPM.
Election Day Overview
The Board of Commissioners Election will be held at designated polling sites on Thursday, October 29 and Friday, October 30, 2026. Polling sites will be open to voters each Election Day between 1:00PM to 7:00PM.
All voters must go to their designated polling site to receive an official ballot, unless the voter has requested a reasonable accommodation.
A resident may vote only once.
Residents may vote for one candidate.
There are no absentee ballots.
Candidates and their supporters MUST NOT campaign or loiter inside the voting area or within 20 feet of the entrance of the voting area. Candidates and their supporters must not harass, threaten, coerce, prevent or otherwise interfere with voters’ right to vote for the candidate of their choice. Candidates who do not comply with this requirement risk being disqualified on Election Day.
RPS will employ Polling Site Monitors (“PSMs”) at each polling site to oversee and monitor the election process.
Reasonable Accommodations
Voters who need translation assistance or are unable to get to the polling site on their Election Day due to any documented disability will be given a reasonable accommodation upon request to RPS. Reasonable accommodations should be made 48 hours prior to their Election Day. To request a reasonable accommodation, residents must submit their request to RPS by mail (PO Box 10517, Washington D.C. 20020), fax ((301) 637-3635), or email (info@ResidentParticipation.com).
Voter Requirements
To qualify as a voter, a person must:
Be a current resident at a site listed on the property list below;
Be named on the lease; and
Be eighteen (18) years of age or older.
Publicizing the Outcome of the Election
After the polling sites close on each Election Day, the ballot boxes will be locked for transportation to a secure location.
On October 30, 2026 at 8:00 PM in the DCHA Sibley Plaza Community Room a preliminary ballot count will be tabulated by RPS. All DCHA residents are invited to witness the preliminary count.
Preliminary election results will be posted on the DCHA and RPS websites by November 1, 2026.
After the preliminary election results are posted, RPS will add valid provisional ballots to the vote count if those provisional ballots could change an election outcome.
Preliminary election results also may change due to any grievances filed that could affect an election outcome.
The official election results will be posted in the meeting areas (community room, Resident Council office, or recreation center) and at property management offices at each property no later than November 13, 2026.
The newly elected Resident Commissioner will be contacted by the DCHA Board and staff to schedule a swearing in ceremony.
Grievance Process
For the Fall 2026 election, grievances must be received by RPS no later than November 3, 2026 for the October 29 Election Day and November 4, 2026 for the October 30 Election Day.
Residents may file a complaint at any time during the election process. If a voter or candidate believes a violation of the election process has occurred they must fax, mail or email a written complaint letter to be RECEIVED by the ITPM no later than three (3) business days after the Election. Grievances must be made in writing.
Grievance Content and Deadline. The grievant must fax, mail, hand-deliver or email a formal letter of protest to RPS no later than three (3) business days after the election. The letter must describe violations of election procedures and must include all evidence of the violations.
ITPM Response. RPS will issue a written response to a grievance within three (3) business days of receiving a grievance. If a grievance requires significant investigation, RPS may extend its response time.
Request for Reconsideration. If the grievant is dissatisfied with RPS’s response and has additional evidence to support their grievance, the grievant may submit a request for reconsideration to RPS. The request for reconsideration must be received by RPS within two (2) calendar days of the date of RPS’s response to the original grievance. RPS will review the original grievance and response to make a final decision within three (3) calendar days. RPS’s ruling on the request for reconsideration is final.
Updates
This Resident Commissioners Election Policy and Procedures Manual may be updated from time to time to reflect applicable dates and times for the various Resident Commissioner Election activities, including dates and times for events set forth on Part 2 Schedule of Events, and lists of properties on the property list below.
PART 2 – SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
DATE/TIME
EVENT
August 24 – September 4
Informational meetings for residents, interested candidates, and polling site monitors will be held at every property.
September 4 @ 6p
City-Wide Informational Meeting at Sibley Plaza Community Room
September 21 @5p
Commissioner Applications and Petitions deadline
September 25 @5p
ITPM will inform candidate applicants of their eligibility and/or ineligibility
September 28 @ 6pm
Mandatory Candidate Training at Sibley Plaza (review campaign rules & regs, draw for ballot order, etc.)
October 23 @6p-8p
Polling Site Monitor Training at Sibley Plaza
October 26 @ 5:30p
Candidate Forum at Sibley Plaza community room
October 29 @1p-7p
Election Day (See Election Day Schedule)
October 30 @1p-7p
Election Day (See Election Day Schedule)
October 30 @8p
Preliminary ballot count at Sibley Plaza Community Room
November 1 @5p
Preliminary Results posted online
November 3 @5p
Deadline for complaints from the October 29 Election Day
November 4 @5p
Deadline for complaints from the October 30 Election Day
November 13
Certified Election Results will be posted
Eligible Properties & Election Day Assignments
*Residents from Colorado Apartments, Columbia Road, and Arthur Capper Senior may not run for Commissioner, but may vote in this election.
Fall 2026 DCHA Board of Commissioners Election
DCHA residents will elect a Resident Commissioner to the DCHA Board of Commissioners this fall. Resident Participation Services, PLLC is the Independent Third-Party Monitor for this election. Election Days are Thursday, October 29 (NW/NE polling sites) and Friday, October 30, 2026 (SE/SW polling sites), with polls open 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The full schedule, eligibility rules, and property assignments are in the Policies & Procedures Manual below.
Key Dates & Deadlines
How to Participate
Fall 2026 DCHA Board of Commissioners Election Policies & Procedures Manual
Introduction
The purpose of this manual is to provide candidates and voters with information related to the DCHA Board of Commissioners Election.
The DCHA Board of Commissioners is the nine-member governing body of the Housing Authority. Effective with Resident Commissioners elected after January 1, 2026, two of those nine members will be Resident Commissioners elected by DCHA residents. Each Resident Commissioner will serve a three-year term of office. The three-year terms are staggered to ensure continuity in the operations of the Board of Commissioners.
Unless otherwise noted, all DCHA residents at public housing sites listed on the property list below may run for Resident Commissioner if they meet eligibility requirements discussed in this manual. We recommend that residents read the Board of Commissioners Bylaws and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations (24 CFR Part 964) for a full understanding of how the Board operates.
Below is a summary of the information contained in the DCHA Resolution 2026-04, which authorizes the procedures for the election of residents to the DCHA Board of Commissioners.
Duties of the Board of Commissioners
In summary, the Board has the authority and duty to govern DCHA, including:
to make and implement rules, bylaws, and policies and regulations necessary or appropriate for the effective administration of DCHA;
to make rules and procedures for the election of Commissioners;
to evaluate the Executive Director’s job performance;
to review and approve contracts for goods and services over $250,000;
to ensure that residents receive quality housing and services.
Compensation for Resident Commissioners
Each Resident Commissioner receives a stipend of $8,000 per year for their service on the Board. Each Commissioner is also reimbursed for approved travel and other expenses reasonably related to their official duties.
Board of Commissioner Meetings
All Board Commissioners, including Resident Commissioners, are expected to attend regular meetings throughout the year. All official actions of the Board must be taken in an open meeting.
There are at least ten (10) regular Board meetings each year. These are typically held on the second Wednesday of the month from February through December, other than August.
The Board holds an annual meeting on the second Wednesday in December, unless the Board decides otherwise.
For urgent matters, emergency meetings may be called by the Board Chairperson or by written request of any four Commissioners. Emergency meetings must be called and held in accordance with the DC Open Meetings Act.
All regular Board meetings are open to the public.
Resident Commissioner Eligibility Requirements
A resident who wants to be a candidate for Commissioner must:
be a public housing resident who resides at one of the sites set forth on the property list below, unless otherwise noted;
be named on the lease;
be 18 years of age or older;
be in full compliance with the lease and have no rental payment delinquency;
not have past due taxes, special assessments, or other charges owed to D.C.;
not (a) have any financial interest in any business entity that is directly or indirectly involved in any transaction with DCHA, (b) have any financial interest in any contract to which DCHA is a party, or (c) be employed by or be offered employment by a person or business entity which is a party or prospective party with DCHA. This prohibition also applies to the family of the candidate;
not be an employee of the federal government;
not be an employee of DCHA or the District of Columbia government or a spouse, domestic partner, parent, or child who is a DCHA or District of Columbia employee;
Not have a spouse, domestic partner, parent or child who is the head of a District department or agency or an elected official; and
not hold a position on any other District of Columbia board or commission, except as an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner.
For the candidates who ran in the May 2026 election and did not win the seat, they may run for the second seat. They must again meet all other eligibility requirements and collect the required signatures to be a candidate.
The winning candidate for Commissioner must file an affidavit of financial disclosure with DCHA General Counsel and Ethics Officer within thirty (30) days of their election and again every year of their term. In addition, the Resident Commissioner must make an annual filing with the DC Board of Ethics and Government Accountability. Candidates may be disqualified for failing to make their financial disclosures.
No person can be elected, appointed, or reappointed to the Board if the person has already served nine (9) years or longer on the Board, either in consecutive or non-consecutive terms. This requirement applies to all members of the Board.
Independent Third-Party Monitor
The services of an Independent Third-Party Monitor (“ITPM”) are required to ensure the fairness of the election process. Resident Participation Services, PLLC (“RPS”) was selected by DCHA as the ITPM for this Resident Commissioner Election. DCHA and RPS will ensure written notifications are sent to every resident at least thirty (30) days before the election date. RPS will receive nomination petitions and candidate applications, host a candidate forum where residents can learn more about the candidates, and administer the elections. RPS will also count the ballots on election day in a location open to residents and will issue decisions on any election grievances.
Informational Meetings
View Informational Meetings Information & Schedule
The informational meetings below are scheduled for each property listed on the meeting schedule below during the weeks of August 24 & 31, 2026. DCHA residents may attend the meeting scheduled for their property to find out more about the election process, how to run for office, and how to become a polling site monitor.
For residents who can’t attend the regularly scheduled meeting, a citywide informational meeting open to DCHA residents from all properties is scheduled to take place at Sibley Plaza, 1140 North Capitol St, NW on September 4, 2026 at 6:00 PM. A video of the materials covered at the informational meetings will be available afterward for residents who are unable to attend in-person:
https://www.youtube.com/@ResidentParticipationServices
RPS will distribute hard copies of this manual, Candidate Application Packets, and Polling Site Monitor Applications at all informational meetings. This manual and the applications are also available for download on the RPS website: https://www.residentparticipation.com/downloads/
Residents who cannot attend the citywide meeting or have difficulty with technology and cannot attend any of the virtual meetings, may call RPS at 202-596-2675 and leave a message asking for us to review the policies and procedures over the phone.
Informational notices will be posted at every property by August 16, 2026. The nomination period begins Wednesday, August 19, 2026, when RPS begins accepting completed Candidate Applications.
Informational Meeting Schedule
The following informational meetings are scheduled at each DCHA property during the weeks of August 24 & 31, 2026. Residents may attend the meeting at their property to learn more about the election process, how to run for office, and how to become a polling site monitor.
Week 1 — Monday, August 24
Week 1 — Tuesday, August 25
Week 1 — Wednesday, August 26
Week 1 — Thursday, August 27
Week 1 — Friday, August 28
Week 2 — Monday, August 31
Week 2 — Tuesday, September 1
Week 2 — Wednesday, September 2
Week 2 — Thursday, September 3
Week 2 — Friday, September 4
Citywide Informational Meeting
Friday, September 4 at 6:00 PM — Sibley Plaza, 1140 North Capitol St NW
A video of the materials covered at the informational meetings will be available afterward for residents who are unable to attend in-person:
https://www.youtube.com/@ResidentParticipationServices (opens in a new tab)
Candidate Application Process
View Candidate Application Process, Training & Ethics
Any resident who wishes to run for a Commissioner seat must follow the following steps, in order:
Have your property manager fill out the Property Manager Eligibility Verification form. The property manager must verify that the applicant is eligible to be a candidate for Commissioner. If your property manager states that you are not eligible, you cannot run for Commissioner.
Complete the entire Candidate Application and submit it to RPS no later than 5:00PM on the due date listed on the Application. Applications can be submitted by mail, fax, online form, or email found on the cover page of this manual.
All candidates must fulfill the nomination petition requirements. Candidate applicants must get signatures on the official petitions provided by RPS and found on the RPS website. Signatures that are not provided on the official petition will not be considered. All signature petitions must be accompanied by a Signature Gatherer Statement completed by the individual who gathered the signatures.
property candidates must gather at least 200 signatures. No more than 40 signatures can come from any one property.
Nominating petitions will be reviewed and verified to ensure these requirements have been met.
Once successfully completed, the nominations process qualifies candidates to attend the Candidate Training, officially begin campaigning, appear on the ballot, and participate in the Candidate Forum.
Candidates who campaign before attending the training risk being disqualified for violating election policies and procedures.
Fall 2026 timeline: Applications and nominating petitions are due by 5:00 PM on Monday, September 21, 2026. RPS will audit nominating petitions September 22-25 and notify applicants of their eligibility or ineligibility by Friday, September 25, 2026.
Candidate Training
The Candidate Training will be held on Monday, September 28, 2026, at 6:00 PM at the Sibley Plaza Community Room, 1140 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20003.
Attendees will receive training on the timetable for important dates, campaign etiquette, and election procedures. The ITPM will also draw the candidate’s ballot order at this meeting. RPS will certify candidates who attend the candidate training. Once certified, candidates will be included on the ballot.
Candidate notices will be posted at every property October 1-3, 2026.
Candidate Ethics, Integrity & Professional Behavior
Start of Campaign. Immediately after the Candidate Training, the campaign begins.
Committees. Candidates are allowed to receive help from friends or form a committee to help get the word out during their candidacy. Candidates should remain cautious at all times of their actions and those of their supporters. Any damage to the property of another may result in disqualification of the candidate at any time prior to, during or after the election.
Inclusion. Candidates should be sensitive to the fact that people from a variety of racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds and abilities reside in public housing and that all residents have the opportunity to participate fully in the election process. Candidates should campaign in a professional and positive manner, avoiding disparaging or negative comments against other candidates.
Distributing Notices. Candidates are advised to contact property managers before posting fliers in public areas.
The Role of Resident Councils
View The Role of Resident Councils
Resident Councils and their members can play an important and helpful role in the election process. Resident Councils are encouraged to:
Motivate residents to exercise their voting rights;
Educate candidates on the needs of the community;
Help recruit Polling Site Monitors;
Distribute Candidate Applications;
Distribute and help fax Polling Site Monitor applications to RPS;
Distribute flyers about the Candidate Forum;
Post a schedule of candidate and election-related activities;
Identify and facilitate reasonable accommodations for disabled voters;
Help ensure the integrity of the election process; and
Hold elected Resident Commissioners accountable to residents.
Polling Site Monitors (“PSMs”)
RPS will pay PSMs $18.40 per hour to work on each Election Day and for the PSM Training. PSM Applications will be provided at informational meetings and online at: https://www.residentparticipation.com/downloads. Those interested in working as a PSMs must fax, mail, or email their applications to RPS, or complete the online form. PSMs are required to fill out tax paperwork in order to be paid. Taxes will be withheld from PSM paychecks. Payments will be mailed to PSMs within two weeks after the last Election Day.
NOTE: Candidates for Commissioner and their family members cannot work as Polling Site Monitors.
Polling Site Monitor applications are due Thursday, October 15, 2026.
Candidate Forum
The Candidate Forum will be held at 5:30 pm on Monday, October 26, 2026 at the Sibley Plaza Community Room, 1140 North Capitol Street NW, Washington DC 20003.
At this forum, candidates will have the opportunity to give a short speech, answer questions from residents and provide their campaign materials to residents.
Candidate Disqualification
Any candidate who is found to violate any rule of this election process, including but not limited to the following activities or omissions will be disqualified from the election. Disqualification can occur at any time, including after the election on the basis of:
Submitting false statements to the ITPM regarding the election;
Bribery, cheating, or stuffing the ballot box;
Encouraging ineligible persons to vote or sign a nominating petition;
Defacing or destroying posters or campaign literature of other candidates;
Using Resident Council restricted funds for campaign purposes;
Threatening or interfering with voters’ ability to vote;
Missing deadlines for candidate applications or financial disclosures; or
Engaging in dishonesty with regard to the election, including filing grievances for the purpose of gaining an electoral advantage or submitting false or fraudulent materials to the ITPM.
Election Day Overview
The Board of Commissioners Election will be held at designated polling sites on Thursday, October 29 and Friday, October 30, 2026. Polling sites will be open to voters each Election Day between 1:00PM to 7:00PM.
All voters must go to their designated polling site to receive an official ballot, unless the voter has requested a reasonable accommodation.
A resident may vote only once.
Residents may vote for one candidate.
There are no absentee ballots.
Candidates and their supporters MUST NOT campaign or loiter inside the voting area or within 20 feet of the entrance of the voting area. Candidates and their supporters must not harass, threaten, coerce, prevent or otherwise interfere with voters’ right to vote for the candidate of their choice. Candidates who do not comply with this requirement risk being disqualified on Election Day.
RPS will employ Polling Site Monitors (“PSMs”) at each polling site to oversee and monitor the election process.
Reasonable Accommodations
Voters who need translation assistance or are unable to get to the polling site on their Election Day due to any documented disability will be given a reasonable accommodation upon request to RPS. Reasonable accommodations should be made 48 hours prior to their Election Day. To request a reasonable accommodation, residents must submit their request to RPS by mail (PO Box 10517, Washington D.C. 20020), fax ((301) 637-3635), or email (info@ResidentParticipation.com).
Voter Requirements
To qualify as a voter, a person must:
Be a current resident at a site listed on the property list below;
Be named on the lease; and
Be eighteen (18) years of age or older.
Publicizing the Outcome of the Election
After the polling sites close on each Election Day, the ballot boxes will be locked for transportation to a secure location.
On October 30, 2026 at 8:00 PM in the DCHA Sibley Plaza Community Room a preliminary ballot count will be tabulated by RPS. All DCHA residents are invited to witness the preliminary count.
Preliminary election results will be posted on the DCHA and RPS websites by November 1, 2026.
After the preliminary election results are posted, RPS will add valid provisional ballots to the vote count if those provisional ballots could change an election outcome.
Preliminary election results also may change due to any grievances filed that could affect an election outcome.
The official election results will be posted in the meeting areas (community room, Resident Council office, or recreation center) and at property management offices at each property no later than November 13, 2026.
The newly elected Resident Commissioner will be contacted by the DCHA Board and staff to schedule a swearing in ceremony.
Grievance Process
For the Fall 2026 election, grievances must be received by RPS no later than November 3, 2026 for the October 29 Election Day and November 4, 2026 for the October 30 Election Day.
Residents may file a complaint at any time during the election process. If a voter or candidate believes a violation of the election process has occurred they must fax, mail or email a written complaint letter to be RECEIVED by the ITPM no later than three (3) business days after the Election. Grievances must be made in writing.
Grievance Content and Deadline. The grievant must fax, mail, hand-deliver or email a formal letter of protest to RPS no later than three (3) business days after the election. The letter must describe violations of election procedures and must include all evidence of the violations.
ITPM Response. RPS will issue a written response to a grievance within three (3) business days of receiving a grievance. If a grievance requires significant investigation, RPS may extend its response time.
Request for Reconsideration. If the grievant is dissatisfied with RPS’s response and has additional evidence to support their grievance, the grievant may submit a request for reconsideration to RPS. The request for reconsideration must be received by RPS within two (2) calendar days of the date of RPS’s response to the original grievance. RPS will review the original grievance and response to make a final decision within three (3) calendar days. RPS’s ruling on the request for reconsideration is final.
Updates
This Resident Commissioners Election Policy and Procedures Manual may be updated from time to time to reflect applicable dates and times for the various Resident Commissioner Election activities, including dates and times for events set forth on Part 2 Schedule of Events, and lists of properties on the property list below.
PART 2 – SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Eligible Properties & Election Day Assignments
*Residents from Colorado Apartments, Columbia Road, and Arthur Capper Senior may not run for Commissioner, but may vote in this election.