Reader Poll for Ward 1 Dems: Graham, Weaver or Smith?
Ward 1: If you live along the U Street corridor, you probably live in Ward 1, but part of the area is in Ward 2. (DC City Council)
Our reader poll this week is for Ward 1 Democrats: “Who’s your choice for City Council?” Yes, there’s a contest this year for the Ward 1 City Council seat: three-term incumbent Jim Graham is being challenged by Bryan Weaver and Jeff Smith. (Poll is in the right nav bar.)
While DC conventional wisdom has Graham winning the September 14 primary–which is normally tantamount to winning the November general election–both Weaver and Graham are running spirited campaigns.
Graham was the second openly gay member of the DC Council when he was elected in 1998, following David Catania (I-At Large). If he wins his Democratic primary, he will face a different kind of Republican on the November 2 ballot: Marc Morgan, who is also gay and African American.
Candidate Profiles
U Street Girl recently did wrote some short profiles pieces on the three Democratic and one Republican candidate running for the Ward 1 Council seat. Check them out (they’re good quick reads) before you vote in our reader poll.
- Graham, Smith and Weaver: A quick primer on Ward 1 dem candidates
- Marc Morgan: A quick primer on Ward 1 repub candidate
Voting on September 14
- Not sure if you live in Ward 1? Check your voter registration card or click here for a Ward 1 map.
- You can also put in your address and find your voting precinct at the DC Board of Elections and Ethics (BOEE) website.
- Not sure if you registered at all? You can also check your registration online with BOEE.
- Remember that DC has closed primaries. You must be a registered Democrat, Republican, or Statehood Green party member to vote in the September primary election. (Mayor Adrian Fenty’s campaign tried to convince BOEE to allow DC’s 72,000 registered Independent voters to vote in the September 14 primaries, but were unsuccessful.)
- It’s too late to change your party affiliation, but you can still register in person at the BOEE office or register at your polling place on September 14 (remember to bring ID). You have through this Friday, August 27, to register in person at BOEE. After Friday you must register at your polling place on September 14.
