First Primary Blog	DCFirst.org (A project of Let's FREE DC and the DC Democracy Fund).	Washington DC for Clark (unofficial)	DC for Dean (unofficial)	DC for Dennis (unofficial) 12/20/03

CLARK   DEAN   KUCINICH   SHARPTON   MOSELEY BRAUN

Background
In January 2003 the DC Democracy Fund, a political action committee dedicated to securing full voting rights for DC residents, launched an effort to move DC's primary forward.  Councilman Jack Evans introduced a bill, the "Presidential Primary Election Act of 2003" (B15-0081), to move DC's presidential primary from the first Tuesday in May to the second Tuesday in January (January 13, 2004).  On March 4 the Council approved the bill, Mayor Anthony Williams signed it on April 15, and it went into effect on June 21.

Organizers cast the January 13, 2004 vote as an advisory primary.  If delegates were selected on January 13 that would violate DNC rules, which designate Iowa and New Hampshire as the first contests; the DNC could opt not to seat delegates selected in such a primary.  However, delegates will actually be selected later, at eight ward caucuses held on February 14, 2004 and a convention on March 6, 2004.

Despite the distinction, there was still resistance to the DC primary so in early October 2003 Councilman Evans introduced emergency legislation, the "Presidential Primary Petition and Filing Waiver Temporary Act of 2003," to "waive all filing requirements for generally recognized United States presidential candidates."  By this measure, Evans sought "to ensure candidates participate in our 'first in the nation' primary without hesitation."

The DCBOEE announced a list of ten nationally recognized candidates in early November 2003 (Nov. 7, 2003 deadline): Clark, Dean, Edwards, Gephardt, Kerry, Kucinich, LaRouche, Lieberman, Moseley Braun and Sharpton.  However five of these candidates--Clark, Edwards, Gephardt, Kerry, and Lieberman--withdrew by the Nov. 14 deadline (60 days before the primary), citing DNC Delegate Selection Rules.   In addition to the nationally recognized candidates, half a dozen others made the ballot simply by filing an "Affidavit of Consent" (also a Nov. 14 deadline).  All told eleven names appear on the Democratic ballot.  Ballot position (citywide) was determined by a lottery held on Nov. 28.  Write ins are not permitted.  Note that there is also a Statehood Green primary (the ballot features Shiela Bilyeu, David Cobb, "No Candidate" and "Write in, if any.")

According to the DC Board of Elections and Ethics, 142 polling places will be open across the city, and the cost to run the primary will be about $350,000.  Turnout in previous DC presidential primaries has been low; in May 2000 8.8 percent of total registered voters participated and in May 1996 8.4 percent.

Photos
5...   Gathering signatures at a Dean pre-primary rally, Jan. 10, 2004.
4...   WTOP Radio Debate, Jan. 9, 2004.
3...   Rev. Sharpton holds a press conference, Jan. 8, 2004.
2...   Rep. Kucinich after a meeting with African American media at Ben's Chili Bowl, Dec. 31, 2003.
1...   Rev. Sharpton opens DC headquarters, Nov. 9, 2003.

Democratic Primary Ballot
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Unofficial Results - Democratic Presidential Preference Primary
January 13, 2004
D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics

Turnout: 142 of 142 precincts

Total Registration (Democratic):	259,322
Election Day Ballots Cast:	41,880	16.15%
Absentee Ballots Cast:	858	0.33%
Total Ballots Cast	42,738	16.48%

 

142 of 142 precincts

Howard Dean	17,736	42.70%
Al Sharpton	14,248	34.30%
Carol Moseley Braun	4,824	11.61%
Dennis J. Kucinich	3,435	8.27%
Lyndon H. LaRouche, Jr.	507	1.22%
Florence Walker	247	0.59%
Arthur H. Jackson, Jr.	232	0.56%
Vermin Supreme	146	0.35%
Harry Braun, III	84	0.20%
Jeanne Chebib	43	0.10%
Lucien Wojciechowski	38	0.09%

Copyright © 2004  Eric M. Appleman/Democracy in Action.