Councilmember Wells Praises Decision to Create New Downtown Voting Precinct

Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells praised today’s decision by the DC Board of Elections and Ethics to create a new voting precinct for the growing downtown neighborhoods of Penn Quarter and Mount Vernon Square.

“This is a great move to ensure residents have easy access to their polling locations. Our downtown neighborhoods are experiencing unprecedented growth over the last several years and show all signs of continuing this trend,” commented Mr. Wells.

In March, Councilmember Wells asked the Board to consider a new voting precinct for these downtown neighborhoods that were previously a part of precinct 130 and were required to travel to Capitol Hill to cast their vote – creating a barrier with distance and Metro access for elderly or mobility challenged residents.

“Expecting residents to travel across town is more than a mere inconvenience for many and presents a hardship that serves as a disincentive for all affected voters to participate in the electoral process,” added Wells.

Councilmember Wells credits the strong advocacy and vision of ANC 6C, the Downtown Neighborhood Association, the Mount Vernon Square Neighborhood Association and other involved neighbors in today’s decision to create this new downtown voting precinct.

Miles Groves, founding board member of the Downtown Neighborhood Association stated, “The downtown neighborhood continues to generate strong growth of potential voters. A new precinct with a neighborhood polling location removes a critical barrier to voter participation helping strengthen the voice of our community.”

According to the Board of Elections and Ethics, the new voting precinct will be in effect beginning with the DC primary elections this September 9th.

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