DC Elections
News from WAMU 88.5
Oversight Hearing Exposes Primary Problems in D.C.
February 15, 2008 - A public oversight hearing into the Board of Elections and Ethics handling of the District's primaries on Monday exposes several issues with the voting process. A laundry list of problems was discussed during the hearing sponsored by Council member Carol Schwartz. One of the main problems was a lack of ballots. BOEE personnel who testified blamed the weather and the tiny boxes the ballots came in. Schwartz says she wants a full report on any primary day problems from all of the precinct captains. Another hearing will be held on February 29.
Jessica Golloher reports...
D.C. Voters Turn Out in Record Numbers
February 13, 2008 - Not only was the Potomac Primary a first for the region but voters turned out in record numbers. Sleet, wind and rain didn't deter around 38 percent of eligible District voters from casting their ballots in what officials are calling one of the most hotly contested presidential elections in the nation's history. In addition, some voters showed up to their polling places to find a lack of paper ballots.
Jessica Golloher reports...
Early Estimates Show Potomac Primary had Record Turnout
February 13, 2008 - Not only was the Potomac Primary a first for the region but voters turned out in record numbers. Near-freezing temperatures, sleet, wind and rain didn't deter around 38 percent of eligible District voters from casting their ballots in what officials are calling one of the most hotly contested presidential elections in the nations history. In addition, some voters showed up to their polling places to find a lack of paper ballots. Edgar Frasier is captain of voting precinct 17. He says more voters came out for this election and they came earlier. As a result, Frasier had to re-order ballots twice during the day, forcing many voters to wait to until they arrived. Meanwhile, Board of Elections and Ethics Spokesman Bill O'Field blames the wintry weather for the delay in reporting election results.
Jessica Golloher reports...
Voters Like Early Primary
February 13, 2008 - Many local voters are casting their ballots in favor of another early Potomac Primary. This is the first time D.C., Maryland and Virginia held their presidential primaries before both parties elected their respective candidates. Local officials hoped the change would enable the area to have more of an affect on who ends up in the Oval Office. Voter Rob Campia says he thinks the move was a smart one. Meanwhile, many D.C. voting precincts reported record turnout, some officials are attributing that to yesterday's earlier primaries.
Jessica Golloher reports...
Record Voter Turnout
February 12, 2008 - One D.C. polling place is reporting record voting turnout in today's Potomac Primaries.
Jessica Golloher is at the AME church in Northwest D.C...
Voters Brave Weather For Potomac Primaries
February 12, 2008 - In the District, wind and sleet are not stopping voters from casting their ballots in todays Potomac Primaries. Driver Joseph Brown takes his time as he escorts a group of elderly voters off a bus in front of the church. They range in age from 65 to a spry 94 and live at the Sunrise Center just a few blocks away. Senior Elise Fischer has a cast on her leg and uses a walker. Driver Brown, says yes, he will be back. He estimates that some 200 seniors have signed up to take the shuttle so they too can cast their ballots. The captain of precinct 17 says he believes they've had a record turnout so far this year at least 2,500 voters out of 5,000 registered voters have cast their ballots.
Jessica Golloher reports...
Huckabee Wins Support Among Young Voters
February 11, 2008 - Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee is hoping tomorrow's primaries in Virginia, Maryland and D.C. will demonstrate the support he has won among young people. Sonia Azad spoke with some of them.....
Local Romney Supporters Look For Another Candidate
February 8, 2008 - With Mitt Romney out of the Republican presidential race, some of his local followers are throwing their support behind John McCain. Others aren't so sure.
Patrick Madden reports...
Vote Early With In-Person Absentee Ballots
February 6, 2008 - It's too late to vote absentee by mail for next week's primaries, but registered voters in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia can still vote early. Area voters can head to their local elections boards to cast an in-person absentee ballot for next Tuesday's primaries. In Virginia and D.C., voters can go to their county or city board of elections today through Saturday to fill out a ballot. Voters in Maryland can cast an absentee ballot at their county elections board until election day. They can also request a mail-in ballot, but they have to make the request in-person, and it must be postmarked by 8 p.m. on February 12th.
Erin Stamper has more...
