2025 Ward 8 Special Election Candidate Guide

Your one-stop resource guide for important dates and information to cast your ballot in the July 15th Ward 8 Special Election.

AARP DC wants to ensure all Ward 8 residents have the resources needed to vote in the July 15th special election. Below you will find information on when, where and how to cast your ballot. You can also read where the candidates for Ward 8 Councilmember stand on issues important to older District residents.

Key Dates

• June 9
  DC Board of Elections begins mailing ballots to registered voters in Ward 8
• June 24
  Registration deadline. Click here to register
• July 11-July 14
  Early Vote Centers open daily 8:30am-7:00pm
• July 15- Special Election Day
  Vote Centers open 7:00am–8:00pm

Voting at a glance

• Voter registration: Register to vote online and by mail. Use the District’s online portal check your registration status. Deadline to register in advance is June 24. You may also register in person at the vote center.
• Mail-in voting: All active, registered voters in Ward 8 will be sent a no-excuse mail-in ballot. Mail-in ballots can be returned via the Post Office or placed in Mail Ballot Drop Boxes located across Ward 8.
• Early voting: Cast your ballot early and in person Friday, July 11 through Monday, July 14 from 8:30am to 7:00pm at vote centers throughout the ward.
• Vote centers: Find Election Day vote center locations on the D.C. Board of Elections website.

Candidates

Democratic Primary

Salim Adofo
Mike Austin
Sheila Bunn
Trayon White Sr.	(Candidate did not provide photo)

Republican Primary

No candidates listed on the ballot

Candidate Questionnaire

AARP DC is working to ensure voters are prepared to vote and informed of where the candidates stand on issues of importance.

Using AARP research and survey data, AARP DC created a questionnaire for all candidates listed on the ballot to share their vision for the issues that matter most to older District residents, their families, their caregivers, and their providers. These include transportation, housing, access to nutritious foods and addressing health disparities. Click the question below to view the candidate's answers.

Question 1- Transportation:
Transportation safety for people of all ages, particularly older adults, is an increasing concern in the District. According to AARP Research, 88% of District residents 45-plus said that “getting to the places you need to go independently” is important to them. The District saw 52 traffic fatalities in both 2023 and 2024, extending a 17-year record high. What are your plans to make the District a more livable community for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists, alike?

Question 2- Housing:
In 2022, 85% of District residents 45-plus said that “staying in your own home as you get older” was of importance to them. What policies do you support to protect older District residents and their ability to safely age in a place of their choosing?

Question 3- Access to Nutritious Foods:
What is your plan to increase access to stable, affordable, healthy food options, especially in “food deserts” located in Ward 8?

Question 4- Addressing Health Disparities:
According to AARP research and survey data, there is a 15-year gap in life expectancy between those living in Ward 3 (86 years old) and Ward 8 (71 years old), and residents 40-plus living east of the river are about four times as likely to face barriers to accessing health care services in their community. What policies would you put forth to reduce disparities among racial and ethnic groups in accessing affordable, high-quality healthcare?