Wouldn't you know it, I'm starting off this blog with an elections post. I just returned from the Martin Luther King Library, where I am supporting two candidates in separate races for Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2C, Theresa Sule (in photo on left) and Jessica Lanza (I am also supporting Kevin Chapple who is running in another precinct), who are running for the Shaw, Mount Vernon Square, and Penn Quarter areas. Of course, all so much of the excitement is on the presidential campaign, but please don't overlook your ANC races. ANC's have a tremendous impact on day-to-day life in the District. From small development projects like construction next door to you to the large ones like the old convention center site, as well as licenses, permits, park renovations, pedestrian access during construction, street repairs... ANC recommendations carry "great weight" with government agencies. They also get thousands of your taxpayer dollars that they can use for neighborhood projects and can negotiate with developers for community amenities. They are nonpaid, government officials and they can make a real difference. While I'm extremely excited about the outcome of the presidential election tonight, as well as Congress, I'll be watching our ANC races closely.
For several years, I've spent time working the polls and this one immediately strikes me as different. I passed by Shiloh Baptist Church at 7am this morning and the line wrapped around the block. The wait at MLK was about 45 minutes to an hour between 7am and 9am. Typically, turnout in the general election is about double that of the primary in presidential election years, but still, this one is going to break records. There's also an electric atmosphere. You can just tell that people are excited to vote.
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