Photo by Mr. T in DC on Flickr
Elections are not for several months but the campaign season for one of the most important local races is about to get underway: ANC elections! Beginning Monday, July 7, 2014, the Board of Elections will give out nomination petitions for the next ANC elections.
Interested candidates will then have until close of business on Wednesday, August 6th, to return the petitions with the signatures of (at least) 25 registered voters who also live in the Single Member District (SMD) that they wish to represent. And on November 4th, Election Day, the voters will make their selection. To figure out which ANC and SMD you live in (and who your commissioner is) put your address into the DC Citizen Atlas.
What is an ANC? As stated by dc.gov, “The ANCs’ main job is to be their neighborhood’s official voice in advising the District government on things that affect their neighborhoods. Although they are not required to follow the ANCs’ advice, District agencies are required to give the ANC’s recommendations ‘great weight.’ Moreover, District law says that agencies cannot take any action that will significantly affect a neighborhood unless they give the affected ANC 30 days’ advance notice. This includes zoning, streets, recreation, education, social services, sanitation, planning, safety, budget, and health services. The ANCs also initiate recommendations for improving city services, conduct neighborhood improvement programs, and monitor resident complaints.”
So, basically, these are the people who can help actually make things happen (or not happen) in your backyard. Who is telling the city what our neighborhood wants done with Hine, the Eastern Market Metro Plaza, liquor licenses, traffic calming, etc? That would be your ANC Commissioner. Do you think he or she hasn’t been doing much? Do something about it and run, or recruit your neighbor to do so! You can make a difference! And from what I am hearing, there are a lot of Commissioners who will not be seeking reelection this year so anything could happen.
Visit the ANC website to learn more about how to get involved.