Election Day has arrived in D.C., ushering in a new political era for the city.
There aren’t likely to be any big surprises in local races, largely because of the outsize role that June’s Democratic primary plays in the city’s politics. Still, tonight is expected to mark the official election of Janeese Lewis George as D.C.’s next mayor, marking the end of Mayor Muriel Bowser’s 12 years in office and heralding a new progressive alternative.
Another big change will happen on Capitol Hill, where D.C. will have a new nonvoting delegate to Congress, since Eleanor Holmes Norton — who served for three decades — decided not to run again. Robert White is likely to win the seat, though he’s facing a challenge from Republican Denise Rosado and Statehood Green Kymone Freeman.
Voters will also be choosing council members in wards 1, 3, 5 and 6, and two at-large seats. The introduction of ranked-choice voting has somewhat scrambled voting in the at-large races, where D.C. voters long had two votes to use. They still do now — kind of. The council chair will also be on the ballot, though incumbent Phil Mendelson is expected to cruise to victory and his 29th straight year in office.
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And then there’s the ducks, of course. D.C. voters will have a chance to weigh in on Initiative 86, which if passed would ban the production and sale of foie gras in the city.
Will there be any election snafus? Initial fears over possible federal interference or intimidation in D.C.’s election seem to have quieted down, as federal agents and the National Guard have been instructed to avoid local polling places. According to D.C. officials, they have to stay at least 50 feet away from a polling place’s main entrance unless they are voting.
Some reminders for residents: Polling places in D.C. are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and if you find yourself in line when polls are closing, you’ll still be allowed to cast a ballot. You can also leave a mail ballot at any of the 55 ballot drop boxes around the city or head to a post office — though you need to confirm that the postmark on your ballot envelope has today’s date.
Check back throughout the day for The Washington Sun’s coverage of the D.C. election and other local races.
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