Changes to Primary Voting Due to COVID-19: All Voters Encouraged to Request Mail-In Ballots

Like everything else in the District, the 2020 elections will be affected by the outbreak of COVID-19. The District of Columbia Board of Elections (DCBOE) is encouraging all residents to request a mail-in ballot and vote by mail in the June 2 Primary Elections. Every eligible voter can request a vote by mail. This is especially important because DCBOE will not operate anywhere near the usual number of precincts, or voting places, on election day.

For the 2020 June primary election, the usual 144 precincts will remain closed. Instead, DCBOE will operate the 15 Early Vote Centers and five additional, larger vote centers. These 20 voting places will be open from May 22 until primary election day June 2.

Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. On election day polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voting centers will be closed Monday, May 25 for Memorial Day.

In light of the COVID-19 crisis, strict social distancing measures will be in place during line-up, registration or check-in and during actual voting at voter centers. Masks will be required to vote. DCBOE will also implement cleaning protocols on site. Same-day registration will still be available at these voting locations with a valid proof of residence, but DCBOE says these locations should be reserved for those unable to request a mail-in ballot.

“These locations, while increasing in number, will adhere to CDC guidelines regarding COVID-19 and they should be reserved for those unable to request a mail-in ballot. It’s imperative that we protect our fellow citizens as well as the thousands of DCBOE volunteers and all of our employees,” said DCBOE spokesperson LaDawne White.

The Board encourages ALL residents to request a mail-in ballot for the June Primary. Voters can request mail-in ballots: • online at https://www.vote4dc.com/ApplyInstructions/Absentee • via the DCBOE mobile app vote4dc • by calling the DCBOE at 202-727-2525 or 202-741- 5283, or by calling TTY at 711 • by fax at 202-347-2648 • or by mailing or dropping off in person a ballot request form to: DC Board of Elections, 1015 Half Street SE, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20003.

by Elizabeth O’Gorek

Forms are available online at https://dcboe.org/Data-Resources-Forms/Forms-and-Resources/AbsenteeBallotRequestForm.aspx

DCBOE also mailed request forms to all registered voters in March and will send two forms and a postage-paid envelope in each Voter Guide by May 8. The guide is also available at dcboe.org/Elections/2020-Elections.

The last day to request a mail-in ballot for the 2020 June Primary elections is May 26. Mail-in requests must be postmarked by that day, and DCBOE must receive the completed ballot from voters no later than June 9, 2020.

You can track your mail-in ballot online at https://dcboe.org/Voters/Absentee-Voting/Track-Absentee-Ballot

Primary Candidates for Ward 7 and Ward 8 Council Seats

The council seats for both Ward 7 and Ward 8 are on the primary election ballot this June. Five candidates are challenging the incumbent Ward 7 councilmember in the race for the Democratic nomination. In Ward 8, there are four candidates, including the current councilmember, seeking the Democratic nomination. There is also a sole candidate for the Republican nomination in Ward 8.

The winners of the primary nomination for each party will appear on the ballot in November, but many consider the June Primary Elections the true race-to-watch in the District. Here are thumbnail sketches of the candidates currently registered to appear on the ballot in June:

Candidates are listed alphabetically by party, with incumbents appearing at the end of the list.

WARD 7 DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY

Kelvin Brown has lived in the Hillcrest community for nearly a decade. He grew up in a poor, working-class Alabama family where he said he realized early on that education was the pathway out of poverty. He has degrees in criminal law and business administration from Alabama State, where he received a presidential scholarship.

Brown served nearly 10 years and was deployed on three different missions as a Sergeant in the United States Army. He received the US Army Achievement Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. He currently manages an affordable housing portfolio for federal affordable housing financing enterprise Fannie Mae. kelvinebrown.com Twitter: @votekelvinbrown Facebook: www.facebook.com/Kel.Brown02 Instagram: @votekelvinbrown Email: kelvinbrown4dc@gmail.com

Anthony Lorenzo Green is a third generation Washingtonian, born and raised in Ward 7 by his grandmother in the Deanwood community. A product of DC Public Schools, he attended Merritt Elementary Extended School and H.D. Woodson Senior High School in Northeast, D.C. He currently serves as Commissioner for Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 7C04.

Green served as an Unemployment Compensation Adjudicator for the D.C. Department of Employment Services (DOES) where he conducted fact-finding investigations to render determinations associated with benefit claims. He also served on the agency’s Integrity Taskforce from 2014 to 2016, a cross-function committee that crafted ideas and solutions to reduce the improper payment rate for unemployment benefits, and expanded access to information for clients. Green received the 2018 Jerry N. Clark “Civic Superhero” Award for being a justice reformer by DC for Democracy, and 2014 “Men of Valor” Award by Angels of Hope Ministries for his contribution to the lives of Southeast families. greenward7.com Twitter: @GreenForWard7 Facebook/Instagram: @GreenforWard7 Email: info@greenward7.com

James Leroy Jennings was born in South Carolina but has lived in DC for over 30 years. For the last fourteen years, he has made his home in the Deanwood Neighborhood. A former Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner, Jennings is also a veteran of the Armed Forces, a retired Metropolitan Police Reserve Officer and a former DC Protective Services Police Sergeant with the DC Department of Mental Health. Before the Coronavirus hit, Jennings was a volunteer barber at nursing homes, giving free haircuts and shaves to res

idents. Jennings has sworn in campaign fl iers that he will donate 75 percent of his pay. Twitter: @Vote4Jennings Email: Jenningsfor2020@gmail.com

Rebecca J. Morris was born in Washington, DC. After spending part of her childhood in Reston, Virginia she returned home to the District during her teenage years, graduating from the now-shuttered Washington, Mathematics, Science and Technology Public Charter High and then from University of District of the Columbia.

Morris is a Ward 7 business owner in the hospitality fi eld and considers herself a voice representing the average workingclass citizen living in Ward 7.

“We often have people who represent our voice and struggles who have never even been in our shoes,” Morris said of her decision to run. “We have many politicians who run for offi ce in our area and use us as a career boost. They win and we are left in the same position in which we began.” rebeccamorrisward7.com Facebook: @RebeccaMorris2020 Instagram: @voterebeccaWard7 Email: rebeccamorrisward7@gmail.com

Veda Rasheed was born and raised in the River Terrace neighborhood. She graduated from Eastern High School and has a BA from Bowie State University and a law degree from The Catholic University of America.

A mother of two, she is an attorney and an activist who has served as Chair of the Ward 7 Young Democrats and as Ward 7 Parent Leader for the My School DC Advisory Council. She worked on community engagement for the DC Offi ce of the Attorney General under Karl Racine and was appointed to the Mayor’s Commission on African American Aff airs from 2017-2019. She currently serves as commissioner for Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 7E01. vedarasheed.com Twitter: @VedaRasheed Facebook: VedaforWard7 Instagram: @Vote4Veda Email: hello@vedarasheed.com

Incumbent Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent Gray was elected to represent the residents of Ward 7 in 2004 and again in 2016. He served as Chairman of the DC Council

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from 2007 to 2011 and as Mayor of the District of Columbia from 2011 to 2015. Gray graduated from Dunbar High School and George Washington University. Prior to entering politics, Gray worked on behalf of District residents in the non-profi t sector and in government. As Councilmember, Gray has prioritized issues including healthcare, early childhood education and economic development, including bringing much-needed grocery stores to Ward 7. He has advocated for increased access to healthcare, including the establishment of a new hospital and the development of a comprehensive, modern healthcare system to service residents on the east end of the District.

Gray is committed to ensuring that the people of Ward 7 as well as District residents with the greatest needs are not left out when the city rebuilds from the Coronavirus crisis. In addition to representing the residents of Ward 7, Gray currently serves as Chair of the Council Committee on Health. vincegray2020.com Facebook/Instagram: @VinceGray2020 Email: vincegray2020@gmail.com

As of May 1, there were no candidates for the Ward 7 Council seat registered in the Republican Primary.

WARD 8 REPUBLICAN PRIMARY

Nate Derenge moved to Ward 8 fi ve years ago and quickly grew fond of the people, parks, and places in Southeast. He knows he is a relative newcomer to the area but hopes his perspective can introduce some new ideas that will be helpful for continued improvements in quality of life in Ward 8.

Derenge believes that policies generated by DC Council should encourage legal employment and discourage povertyfriendly services, such as the DC Lottery. He wants to focus on providing kids with District attention that does not come from the judicial system. He also believes licensure requirements are prohibitive for some trades, an issue that especially aff ects those returning to society from prison. nateward8.com Twitter: @NateWard_8

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nian, the founding director of Family & Friends of Incarcerated People and the Ward 8 representative on the DC Democratic State Committee. He currently works as the family engagement and support specialist for Social Emotional and Academic success for Children And Parents (SEACAP). Formerly the Community Engagement Specialist for the Anacostia Coordinating Council (ACC), Anderson holds degrees in Business Management, Legal Assistance and Urban Studies from the University of the District of Columbia (UDC).

Anderson is a returning citizen who has four daughters and four grandchildren. He was awarded the Port in The Storm Activist Award by the Washington Peace Center in 2013. stuart4ward8.com Twitter: @stuart4DC Facebook: @sanderson4ward8 Instagram: @stuart4ward8 Email: Sanderson.socmedia@gmail.com

Michael (Mike) Austin is a fourth-generation Washingtonian, attorney and community servant who grew up in the Bellevue neighborhood of Ward 8. The eldest of four children, Austin graduated from Suitland High School, and holds degrees from the Xavier University of Louisiana and a law degree from Charlotte University in North Carolina. He has served as Legislative Director for former Ward 8 Councilmember LaRuby May and for the Deputy Mayor for Greater Economic Opportunity. He was also Vice President of the United Medical Center (UMC) and is currently the Chair of Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 8C, serving the Congress Heights community, where he makes his home. mikeaustin8.com Twitter: @Mike8Austin Facebook: mike8austin8 Instagram: @mike8austin Email: info.mikeaustin8@gmail.com

Yaida Ford is currently the managing principal at Ford Law Pros, which handles legal cases in the fields of civil rights, consumer protection, community associations and employment law, among others. Ford has worked with the DC Council Committee for Human Services on issues relating to social services, youth affairs, homelessness, and disability services; as well as with the Fair Budget Coalition as a steering committee member representing residents residing east of the river.

Ford worked at the Legal Aid Society’s first offices in Anacostia and at The ARC addressing the systematic issues facing clients in Ward 7 and 8. Ford served on the Board of Directors of Ward 8 nonprofit Youth Now! and created a professional development program for teenage mothers in Ward 8. yaidaford.com Facebook: @yaidaford4ward8 Instagram: @yaidaford4ward8 Email: dcward8@yaidaford.com

Incumbent Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White, Sr. was born and raised in Southeast DC, graduating from Ballou High School before completing a business degree at the University of Maryland. In 2008, White founded and served as Executive Director of non-profit Helping Inner City Kids Succeed (HICKS), which creates activities for youth development in some of Washington’s toughest neighborhoods. He received the President Barack Obama Volunteer Service Award in 2010.

In 2011, with the support of former Mayor and then Ward 8 Councilmember Marion Barry, White was elected as Ward 8 Representative on the State Board of Education to complete the term of the late William Lockridge, winning re-election in 2012. White entered the race for Barry’s seat on council in 2015. He lost by less than 80 votes but won in 2016.

White has continued his social activism throughout his council term, leading a protest to demand local hiring at a Southeast development. He is the Chair of the Council Committee on Recreation and Youth Affairs. www.trayonwhite8.com Instagram: @trayonwhite Facebook: facebook.com/trayon.white Twitter: @trayonwhite Email: trayonwhite2020@gmail.com u