2026 ANC Questionnaire — Results at a glance

Executive Summary

Founded in 1921, the D.C. Federation of Civic Associations is one of Washington’s oldest citywide civic organizations. Today it brings together more than 40 neighborhood civic associations from across the District, providing a forum through which community organizations can share information, address common concerns, and bring the perspectives of District residents to issues affecting their neighborhoods and the city as a whole.

The 2026 ANC Candidate Survey was developed by the D.C. Federation of Civic Associations in cooperation with the Dupont Circle Citizens Association (DCCA), which provided assistance and financial support for the survey. All candidates for Advisory Neighborhood Commission seats across the District were invited to participate. The questionnaire was designed to help voters understand candidates’ views on issues affecting D.C. neighborhoods, including development and housing, public safety, neighborhood preservation, transportation, the environment, community engagement, transparency, and accountability. This was the Federation’s first citywide survey of ANC candidates, and 80 candidates responded, representing 21.3% of those invited to participate.

The Federation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and does not endorse or oppose candidates for public office. The purpose of the survey is voter education: to provide District residents and the media with information about candidates’ positions in advance of the 2026 ANC elections.

Learn more about the Federation at DCFCA.org.

Major Findings

Development, Zoning & Housing

• More than 81% said preserving existing neighborhood scale and character should be a high or moderate priority when considering new development.
• Nearly 70% opposed eliminating the Historic Preservation Review Board’s authority to restrict new construction in historic districts when the height, density, or scale of the new construction is incompatible with the historic character of the neighborhood.
• More than 70% favored either keeping current zoning in their own Single Member District or allowing targeted upzoning only in specific areas of their district.
• Only 26% favored broad upzoning to increase housing supply in their own Single Member District.
• Fewer than 20% favored significant increases in density across their own Single Member District.
• Almost 83% favored extending affordable-housing requirements to downtown areas now exempt from inclusionary zoning.

Neighborhood Voice

• More than 85% said voters in their own Single Member District should have the opportunity to vote in a referendum before their ANC takes a position on substantially altering or eliminating the Height Act in their neighborhood.

Green Space

• More than 76% support the preservation of green spaces over new development.

Transportation

• More than 82% supported regulating e-bikes and e-scooters, including registration, tags, and speed limits.
• 59% supported helmet requirements for bicyclists, e-bike riders, and scooter riders.
• More than 42% favored no further expansion of bike lanes.
• More than 81% identified pedestrian safety — crosswalks, sidewalks, and lighting — as the highest transportation priority.