To vote in the District, first make sure you’re registered — and know under which party you’re registered. Remember, the primary is closed, meaning registered Democrats can only vote for Democrats, Republicans for Republicans and Statehood Greens for Greens. If you’re a registered Independent, you won’t be voting Tuesday.
At dcboee.org, you’ll find a link to confirm your voter registration status.
Next, locate your precinct’s polling place. There are 142 throughout the city, most at schools, libraries and churches. Again, visit dcboee.org to confirm your precinct.
But do not take the comprehensive voter guide you might have received from the Board of Elections and Ethics as gospel. The guide’s publisher, Toucan Printing and Promotional Products Inc., acknowledged printing the incorrect precinct locations on many of the labels. While a secondary card should have been delivered with the correct the location, online confirmation is the best route.
Now it’s time to vote. Polls open at 7 a.m. Tuesday and close at 8 p.m.
Each precinct should have available two voting machines, a paper ballot optical scanner and a touch-screen machine.
The touch-screen is most useful for the blind because it has an audible option; for quadriplegics because of its mouthstick option; and for arthritic seniors or others who might have trouble punching a paper ballot.
The line for the scanner, however, tends to move quicker, according to an elections board spokesman.
Beyond the mayor’s race
» In Ward 1, Council Member Jim Graham is expected to win re-election rather easily over opponent Chad Williams.
» In Ward 3, G.W. law professor Mary Cheh appears to have assumed front-runner status among the other Democrats on the ballot.
» In Ward 5, Harry Thomas Jr. and Frank Wilds appear to have the best shot of the 11 Democrats on the ballot.
» In Ward 6, School Board Member Tommy Wells is thought to have the upper hand with the backing of Council Member Sharon Ambrose, who is retiring.
