Early voting in Washington, D.C., begins on Oct. 28, and public facilities are transitioning into polling stations to meet in-person and mail-in voting needs for residents, including many students at Howard.
Ballot drop-off locations near Howard’s campus include the Shaw (Watha T. Daniel) Library, which will also serve the community on Election Day, and the Columbia Heights Community Center Gymnasium, which will facilitate early and in-person voting on Nov. 5.
Additionally, drop-off ballot boxes have been set up at the Columbia Heights Shopping Center and Banneker Community Center, providing a variety of options for those casting their votes early.
Branch King, the branch manager at Shaw Library, shared insights into the setup process for polling stations.
“Setting up these polling stations requires a lot of coordination,” said King, including working with city-contracted moving companies to ensure the safe transportation of voting machines.
He expressed that this dedicated effort is part of a larger commitment to ensure that all eligible voters can exercise their civic duty.
“We have to consider accessibility, safety protocols and hiring the right people,” King said.
For students like Braylond Hannah, a sophomore film and TV major from Austin, Texas, the availability of D.C. polling stations has made voting this year not only possible but practical.
“Originally, what was supposed to happen was that I was going to get my absentee ballot mailed to me,” he said. “That just did not end up happening whatsoever.”
With the election 11 days away and his ballot still not received, Hannah considered his options and ultimately chose to register in D.C.
“It’s easier for me to just register in D.C., and once voting is available, I’ll just go out and vote here,” he said.
Hannah continued by saying the ballot drop-off location at Banneker could make him more likely to vote early.
“Honestly, I’m high-key fine with that. It means less walking distance for me, and it’ll probably be a lot more secure,” he said.
Hannah’s experience highlighted the demand for polling stations to be accessible for students and residents who are away from home or have busy schedules.
Madison Mayare, an honors sophomore broadcast journalism major, expressed her appreciation for the nearby ballot drop-off options.
“This election is so important. We need as many people voting as possible,” she said. “Being able to vote here, where [we] go to school and spend most of our time, motivates all Howard students to participate.”
The D.C. Board of Elections said they have worked hard to ensure that polling places meet “high standards for accessibility, security and efficiency.
In addition to increased locations for ballot drop-off, early voting stations provide extended access to make voting easier for those with limited availability.
Copy edited by Camiryn Stepteau
