Federal prosecutor Ronald Machen announced Tuesday morning that he has appointed an
“election-day officer” to monitor the voting on November 6 in the nation’s capital.
He might be a tad late.
Machen has tapped assistant US Attorney Loyaan Egal to oversee the “handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights abuses”
in DC. Machen said Egal’s assignment will be part of the Department of Justice’s nationwide
efforts.
Great idea. The District has not experienced any “hanging chad” type problems in its
counting of votes, and most elections in DC are not very close. Incumbents often sail
back to office by double-digit margins. Still, we have had problems with changed counts
and late reporting.
And this voting cycle could be close between at-large council member Michael Brown and challenger David Grosso. The problem is that Machen and Egal might have missed some serious shenanigans.
The city’s Board of Elections and Ethics fielded reports of questionable finances
in Brown’s campaign. On a more serious matter, the board was asked to examine Brown’s
petitions for fictitious names. The city’s examiners found problems in the petitions,
but not enough to disqualify Brown.
Ronald Machen Appoints an Election-Day Officer to Monitor Voting
But is it too little, too late?
Federal prosecutor Ronald Machen announced Tuesday morning that he has appointed an
“election-day officer” to monitor the voting on November 6 in the nation’s capital.
He might be a tad late.
Machen has tapped assistant US Attorney
Loyaan Egal to oversee the “handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights abuses”
in DC. Machen said Egal’s assignment will be part of the Department of Justice’s nationwide
efforts.
Great idea. The District has not experienced any “hanging chad” type problems in its
counting of votes, and most elections in DC are not very close. Incumbents often sail
back to office by double-digit margins. Still, we have had problems with changed counts
and late reporting.
And this voting cycle could be close between at-large council member
Michael Brown and challenger
David Grosso. The problem is that Machen and Egal might have missed some serious shenanigans.
The city’s Board of Elections and Ethics fielded reports of questionable finances
in Brown’s campaign. On a more serious matter, the board was asked to examine Brown’s
petitions for fictitious names. The city’s examiners found problems in the petitions,
but not enough to disqualify Brown.
Perhaps Machen and Egal should take another look.
Most Popular in News & Politics
What It Felt Like for a Virginia Marching Band to Win Metallica’s Contest
What’s IN and OUT in DC Restaurant Trends for 2024
Introducing 8 of DC’s Most Stylish
Best of Washington 2023: Things to Eat, Drink, Do, and Know Right Now
Washingtonian Magazine
May 2024: Great Getaways
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
13 Major Concerts and Music Festivals in the DC Area This Spring
Mary Timony on Her Emotional New Album, “Untame the Tiger”
The Beatles in DC: A New Exhibit in Maryland Looks Back on Early Beatlemania
Northern Virginia High School Wins Metallica’s Marching Band Competition
More from News & Politics
These Volunteers Wake Up at Dawn to Collect DC’s Dead—and Injured—Birds
Guest List: 5 People We’d Love to Hang Out With This May
Democrats and Republicans Pass Balls, Not Bills, at Congressional Soccer Game
3 New Memoirs by Prominent Women
Everything You Wanted to Know About Urban Bear Sightings but Were Afraid to Ask, Because Who Wants to Get That Close to a Bear?
Rockville Police Are Searching for Culprits of a $4,500 Pickleball Paddle Heist
Dozens of Vintage Planes Will Fly Over the National Mall This Saturday
PHOTOS: “Rupaul’s Drag Race” Queens Work It at the National Mall