DC Elections

[Anonymous]

I agree with PO’s point about voter apathy. But after living here for 20 years, I understand the apathy. There are no good choices. None. There isn’t a challenge to most of those up for re-election. People who run against incumbents aren’t offering anything different either. It’s more of the same—so for voters who don’t like any of the candidates, why bother voting at all?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:More people voted for Brooke Pinto, running unopposed, than cast votes in the entirety of Ward 8. The new council member from Ward 7 will be elected with only 22.9 percent of the vote. There are approximately 45,000 registered Democrats in Ward 4. Only about 27 percent of them cast ballots in that race.

Never underestimate the apathy of DC residents, which leads to the cast of mediocrities that populate its political offices.

Very low turnout for the election that decides who's going to be running the city*. The few people who show up reflexively voting for incumbents. Seems about par for the course for D.C. When I used to work the polls, the few people who bothered showing up to vote largely didn't even know who was running.

If you want to see why the city is the way it is - ask people how many Councilmembers they can name. Ask who was running in the last competitive Council elections they voted on (At-Large, Chair, their Ward), and why they chose who they did (of the few who even bothered showing up).

This city is full of people who watch national politics 24/7 but can't be bothered to spend 5 minutes reading up on races where their votes actually matter. Screaming about "Taxation Without Representation!", completely ignoring the representatives they can actually vote for.

*Outside of 2 At-Large seats.

Yes, this is exactly right. Part of the problem also is that without the prospect of moving up to national politics (as you have in states), you don't get people who hope one day to be in the Senate starting out on the D.C. Council. Add that to the fact that many voters are only engaged in national politics, and you get a recipe for insufficient attention paid to the actual governance of the city — except when people tune in to be outraged about a specific issue or moment and then move on.

[Anonymous]

There's a ballot initiative coming that would 1. allow independents to vote in DC primaries and 2. bring ranked choice voting.

This would radically change primary elections in DC. Of course, the Democratic party is fighting it. They like it when no one but the lefty-ist of lefties vote in primaries.

https://makeallvotescountdc.org/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/05/26/dc-ranked-choice-voting-open-primaries/

[Anonymous]

Can I get a non-scientific barometer on whether the wokeness factor went up or down as a result of this election? Essentially, did the people who win promise to tackle crime with any seriousness? Just wondering if we became more progressive or less progressive because I can’t be bothered to read up on the candidates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's a ballot initiative coming that would 1. allow independents to vote in DC primaries and 2. bring ranked choice voting.

This would radically change primary elections in DC. Of course, the Democratic party is fighting it. They like it when no one but the lefty-ist of lefties vote in primaries.

https://makeallvotescountdc.org/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/05/26/dc-ranked-choice-voting-open-primaries/

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can I get a non-scientific barometer on whether the wokeness factor went up or down as a result of this election? Essentially, did the people who win promise to tackle crime with any seriousness? Just wondering if we became more progressive or less progressive because I can’t be bothered to read up on the candidates.

Wokeness factor unchanged in terms of representation but electeds have turned down the woke rhetoric even if they still try to pursue woke policy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:More people voted for Brooke Pinto, running unopposed, than cast votes in the entirety of Ward 8. The new council member from Ward 7 will be elected with only 22.9 percent of the vote. There are approximately 45,000 registered Democrats in Ward 4. Only about 27 percent of them cast ballots in that race.

Never underestimate the apathy of DC residents, which leads to the cast of mediocrities that populate its political offices.

Very low turnout for the election that decides who's going to be running the city*. The few people who show up reflexively voting for incumbents. Seems about par for the course for D.C. When I used to work the polls, the few people who bothered showing up to vote largely didn't even know who was running.

If you want to see why the city is the way it is - ask people how many Councilmembers they can name. Ask who was running in the last competitive Council elections they voted on (At-Large, Chair, their Ward), and why they chose who they did (of the few who even bothered showing up).

This city is full of people who watch national politics 24/7 but can't be bothered to spend 5 minutes reading up on races where their votes actually matter. Screaming about "Taxation Without Representation!", completely ignoring the representatives they can actually vote for.

*Outside of 2 At-Large seats.

Yes, this is exactly right. Part of the problem also is that without the prospect of moving up to national politics (as you have in states), you don't get people who hope one day to be in the Senate starting out on the D.C. Council. Add that to the fact that many voters are only engaged in national politics, and you get a recipe for insufficient attention paid to the actual governance of the city — except when people tune in to be outraged about a specific issue or moment and then move on.

That's only part of the problem. The other half is that the DC electorate has a large number of litmus tests a candidate must pass to even be considered. The only candidates that can pass most/all of them are going to be progressive or progressiver. And surprise, that leaves the ideologues, weather vanes, or liars we've come to love.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with PO’s point about voter apathy. But after living here for 20 years, I understand the apathy. There are no good choices. None. There isn’t a challenge to most of those up for re-election. People who run against incumbents aren’t offering anything different either. It’s more of the same—so for voters who don’t like any of the candidates, why bother voting at all?

Goulet tried to provide a choice and look at how viciously he was attacked. Who in their right mind would want to put themselves through that?

[Anonymous]

DC continues to demonstrate that it cannot successfully self govern.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with PO’s point about voter apathy. But after living here for 20 years, I understand the apathy. There are no good choices. None. There isn’t a challenge to most of those up for re-election. People who run against incumbents aren’t offering anything different either. It’s more of the same—so for voters who don’t like any of the candidates, why bother voting at all?

Goulet tried to provide a choice and look at how viciously he was attacked. Who in their right mind would want to put themselves through that?

Goulet was not attacked for his positions exclusively. He was attacked for being a liar saying different things to different groups, and for being dirty by being in bed with dark money orgs. If I were running maybe I’d take the dark money assistance too, but that wouldn’t put me above being attacked for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So inept. What a bunch of absolute morons.

+1

[Anonymous]

I’m disappointed but hopefully the candidates see they didn’t win a landslide victory and listen to all voices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with PO’s point about voter apathy. But after living here for 20 years, I understand the apathy. There are no good choices. None. There isn’t a challenge to most of those up for re-election. People who run against incumbents aren’t offering anything different either. It’s more of the same—so for voters who don’t like any of the candidates, why bother voting at all?

Goulet tried to provide a choice and look at how viciously he was attacked. Who in their right mind would want to put themselves through that?

Goulet was not attacked for his positions exclusively. He was attacked for being a liar saying different things to different groups, and for being dirty by being in bed with dark money orgs. If I were running maybe I’d take the dark money assistance too, but that wouldn’t put me above being attacked for it.

Good god. You folks never stop. Just own it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m disappointed but hopefully the candidates see they didn’t win a landslide victory and listen to all voices.

Oh my sweet summer child. In this city, powerless ANC commissioners who run unopposed think they have a mandate and that the city must do what they say (see the idiotic middle-finger crew in Woodley/CP).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kiss our asses, cowardly suburbanites.

Enjoy your carjackings and crime ignorant city dwellers.