Washington, D.C., voters will cast their ballots in several primary elections on Tuesday, with issues like crime and rising housing prices top of mind.
For comprehensive coverage, visit WTOP's 2024 elections page. For the latest updates on the DC Primary Election, stay with WTOP.
Washington, D.C., voters will cast their ballots in several primary elections on Tuesday, with issues like crime and rising housing prices top of mind.
There are hotly contested races for four seats on the D.C. Council. Voters will also decide the Democratic nominee for D.C. president and choose candidates for D.C.'s delegate and shadow delegate in Congress.
The Republican Party in Washington has already held a presidential primary in accordance with party rules, but this time several Republican candidates are running in local elections.
Polling stations will open at 7am and close at 8pm. Voters who are in line by 8pm will be able to cast their vote.
On primary election day, voters can vote at any Vote Center, regardless of where they live in the city. DC offers same-day registration, allowing residents to register and cast their ballot at any Vote Center on primary election day. Those who want to take advantage of same-day registration must show proof of residency.
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Registered voters will not be required to show identification when voting in person on primary election day.
A list of polling locations on primary election day is available online.
What is driving people to the polls?
Several voters at Marie Reed Elementary School in northwest Washington, D.C., told WTOP they didn't experience any lines or delays while voting Tuesday.
Luke Williams said he chose to vote in person after his absentee ballot didn't arrive in the mail.
He told WTOP that voting was “easy” and provided an opportunity to interact directly with his neighbors.
“I don't want to miss the opportunity to vote on how things are run,” Williams said.
He said he was voting with crime, housing prices and poverty in mind.
Rasheeda Williams said it's important for voters to cast their ballot and have an impact on local offices.
“It's so important to exercise our rights, especially in tumultuous times like these,” she told WTOP. “We just want to make sure our voices are represented and that the people in public office reflect our values.”
What is your vote?
D.C. Council seats in Wards 2, 4, 7 and 8 are on the ballot, as well as one of the city's four at-large ward seats. In Ward 2, Democratic incumbent Brooke Pinto is running unopposed, but Ward 7 Councilman Vincent Gray is not running for re-election, leaving 10 Democratic candidates running.
In Ward 4, two Democratic candidates are running against incumbent Janes Lewis George, as is the case in Ward 8, currently represented by Councilman Treyon White Sr. City-wide Councilman Robert White is facing one Democratic candidate.
The winners of each race will advance to the general election, with Democratic candidates expected to win in Democratic-dominated districts.
To learn more about each candidate running for DC Council, click here
Although President Joe Biden is already seen as the presumptive nominee, Democrats in Washington will choose the presidential nominee.
Washington's shadow senator, Michael Brown, is running for a fifth term, while Democrats Ankit Jain and Eugene Kinlaw are vying for the iconic position.
Oye Oworewa is seeking re-election as the shadow U.S. representative for the district against Democrat Linda Gray, whose Republican opponent Cyprian Ivanov won the primary unopposed.
Eleanor Holmes Norton is also running for re-election to represent Washington, D.C., in the position she has held since 1991.
WTOP's Luke Rueckert reports from northwest Washington, D.C.
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