Friend –

Today is the final day of the 2024 election! More than 213,000 DC voters have already cast their ballots by mail, drop box, or visiting one of our early vote centers in person. If you're not one of those folks that's already voted, Tuesday, November 5, is the final day to cast your ballot. I'm including below everything you need to know to cast your vote today, as well as an update on the District's preparations in the coming months for post-election timing, security during certification of results, and inauguration planning.

How to Vote Today

If you haven't cast your ballot yet, today's the day! Polls in DC open at 7 a.m. and remain open through 8 p.m., and you can go to any Vote Center in the District, regardless of your Ward. Voting has gotten a lot easier over the past few elections here in DC, and gone are the days when you could only go to your precinct on Election Day.

Here's where you can vote in Ward 6:

• J.O Wilson Elementary School: 660 K St. NE
  
  
• Stuart-Hobson Middle School: 410 E St. NE
  
  
• Eastern Market: 225 7th St. SE
  
  
• Payne Elementary School: 1445 C St. SE
  
  
• Watkins Elementary School: 420 12th St. SE
  
  
• Jefferson Middle School Academy: 801 7th St. SW
  
  
• King Greenleaf Recreation Center: 201 N St. SW
  
  
• Sherwood Recreation Center: 640 10th St. NE
  
  
• Walker Jones Middle School: 155 L St. NW

And more sites immediately adjacent to Ward 6 (remember, you can vote at any Voting Center that is most convenient for you):

• Miner Elementary School, 601 15th St. NE
  
  
• Arthur Capper Community Center, 1000 5th St. SE
  
  

If you're voting by mail, be sure to postmark your ballot today or drop your ballot in any drop box by 8 p.m. today.

Post-Election, Certification, and Inauguration Planning Update

I also wanted to share an update on the city’s preparations to ensure a safe and secure transition of power, no matter who wins the Presidential race. I’ve talked with a lot of neighbors who are either unsure or anxious about the preparations the District is making.

Most likely, when we go to bed tonight, the outcome of the Presidential election will not be known, and it may take several more days to count all ballots across the country and know with certainty. It’s also possible one candidate declares victory anyway, intending to create confusion and chaos. Our commitment to free and fair elections, where every vote is counted, cannot be compromised. At the same time, I can't ignore that the motives of some may be to sow division and stop all votes from being counted. We know this because we’ve seen it before. But the District is preparing for all scenarios.

• Last week, I met directly with US Capitol Police (USCP) Chief Tom Manger to be briefed on his planning for the US Capitol complex. There are obviously many details I can’t share publicly, but I'm feeling confident that we'll see the USCP deploy in a manner to prevent anything resembling the January 6^th attack and insurrection at the Capitol from taking place. And while a schedule hasn't been announced for fencing, I want to caution neighbors that I think we will see high fencing go up around the Capitol campus to cover both major dates in January. Chief Manger and I will stay in touch to be able to update neighbors as new information is shared. I also highly recommend neighbors follow USCP on Twitter for alerts and breaking information.
  
  
• A few days ago, Chief Pamela Smith of DC’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced she has put her officers on full activation and is working with law enforcement across the region to monitor real-time changes and information to respond as needed.
  
  
• DC’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) is coordinating city-wide responses and will manage much of the communications, including the DC Inauguration website at inauguration.dc.gov. If you're looking for more real-time updates, sign up for AlertDC to stay up to date. There's a high chance of misinformation in the coming months. Signing up for AlertDC is a great way to have a trusted source for updates.
  
  
• If you see anything suspicious, please call 911 for emergencies, 311 for police non-emergencies, or text 50411 for MPD's anonymous Tip Line. You can also reach out to the Board of Elections, as appropriate, at (202) 727-2525.

I’ve also talked with several school communities about their preparations. As I mentioned in my last email update, the District will be treating the January 6^th certification of electors with a similar posture to how we host the Inauguration. That will include a large law enforcement presence, many roadway restrictions, and a perimeter around the Capitol will be established. While January 20 is a holiday and schools will be closed, I’ve heard from many school leaders within or adjacent to the possible perimeter about a need for advice about January 6. At this time, the Mayor has announced that DCPS will remain open on the 6^th, but since I was concerned with the schools that may be inside a security perimeter, I asked the Mayor to coordinate a call for school leaders of St. Peter, Capitol Hill Day School, Peabody, Stuart-Hobson, Brent, Capitol Hill Montessori at Logan, BASIS, and others that may need to alter plans as more specificity of where and how security perimeters will be set leading to January. That call took place late last week, and I’ll stay engaged with all our school leaders to ensure they have what they need.

Please feel free to reach out to me or my office for anything you need in the coming days and weeks.

Charles Allen