Stay Safe & Connected This Election Season

Local and federal agencies in D.C. are actively preparing for the 2024 Presidential Election season, anticipating any potential safety concerns the region could face. Below are updates from transportation, government, and business officials regarding the week of the Presidential Election—a crucial period for Downtown D.C. and the Greater Washington area. The Board of Trade is committed to keeping our business community informed and will continue providing timely updates through Inauguration Day.

Key Dates We Will Follow:

• Nov. 4-10: Election Week
• Jan. 6-10: Election Certification Week in Congress
• Jan. 19-21: Inauguration Week

Safety Information

D.C. Government:

D.C. successfully requested that the upcoming election certification on Jan. 6 be considered a National Special Security Event, a classification similarly applied to Inauguration Day by the government.

Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office hosted a media briefing on Oct. 22nd to discuss the city’s preparations for the Election Day security and the rest of the Election season, including the week of the election certification and inauguration at the beginning of next year.

Deputy Mayor Nina Albert also held a stakeholders briefing on Oct. 24th that addressed further ways the city is addressing safety concerns, including sharing that people to sign up for alerts at alertdc.gov to stay up to date with important safety and travel updates regarding election season.

The mayor’s office expressed:

• The need for patience as it could take weeks or days for a winner to be declared in the 2024 Presidential Election
• Please be careful about misinformation or false information about election security and activities in Downtown D.C., specifically about what is being said on social media.
• Stay prepared for a fluid and unpredictable security environment with extremist groups and possible civil unrest.

Capital Police:

The National Park Service (NPS) has instituted a partial closure in Lafayette Park and along the White House sidewalks for public safety in support of preparation and activities associated with the presidential inauguration. Closures will remain in place through February 2025. The northern part of Lafayette Park remains open for visitors and First Amendment activities. This year, work began Oct. 1 to accommodate additional time needed for a safer and more secure environment for construction activities. The Washington Post has also confirmed that Capitol Police is working with the D.C. National Guard to coordinate response needs better ahead of key election and inauguration dates.

DC Board of Elections:

Monica Evans, the executive director of the D.C. Board of Elections, said in a recent Washington Post story thatn“The D.C. Board of Elections added armed security to its office headquarters and mail ballot processing center this year.” For more on the DC Board of Elections work during this election season check out their “checklist” for this November.

Department of Homeland Security:

The Department of Homeland Security has classified the upcoming electoral count, set for January 6, 2025, as a National Special Security Event. This designation grants the traditionally routine post-election event the same heightened security typically reserved for presidential inaugurations and political conventions. The Secret Service, which will oversee security for the count, has confirmed this arrangement.

Learn more about the election security measures being taken by DHS here.

Metropolitan Police Department:

While there has been no indication of any large-scale protests, events, demonstrations, or violent activities, MPD said in the statement to the Board of Trade that it encourages the public to remain vigilant. If you see something, say something. Please report threats and emergencies to 911. Keep your community safe by reporting suspicious activity by calling 202-727-9099, texting 50411, or visiting iwatchdc.org. Additionally, DC government will be in touch with business groups in the next week to schedule routine calls on security. Let me know if you need help being connected with the appropriate people scheduling those meetings.

MWCOG & Emergency Preparedness Council:

These two groups have been working hard to help share the importance of fighting mis-/dis-/mal-information surrounding the election and have been sharing information and strategies with government and business leaders on effective counterstrategiesin the context of the 2024 elections. In 2023, the MWCOG Board approved a resolution calling for continued regional participation in the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), which provides local and state election officials with voter reports to prevent fraud and ensure accuracy. The board continues to encourage full participation by the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia in this resource. COG also convenes a regional Election Officials Technical Committee to coordinate and share information across jurisdictions.

Transportation Information

Election Night Traffic Updates

Vice President Kamala Harris will be having her Election Day headaquaters at Howard University, which has led to traffic reroutes in the area. Below is the map:

Inauguration Day Route Preparations in Downtwon D.C.

Right now, DDOT is planning to repave the Inauguration Day route and this could cause delays as this work continues through parts of Election Season. Below is a look at the Inauguration Day route (labled in red below) that extends from the White House to the U.S. Capitol Building. Pedestrian walking routes are also labled below in green and are vital to know if you will be in the area on Inauguration Day.

Inauguration Day Vehicle Access in Downtwon D.C.

Mayor Bowser met with D.C. Council recently to discuss safety preperation for Inauguration Day. In her presentation, her office included the vehcile access points for Inauguration Day from 2021, highlighting there will likely be a similar concept for Inauguration Day for this election cycle. Below is a look at the limited access drivers will see. The National Park Service has not released road closures yet, but you can check for more as they prepare for Inauguration Day here.

Advice For Downtown Businesses

Sign up to receive real-time alerts from the District on public safety, traffic impacts, and more on election and inauguration updates by visiting alertdc.dc.gov.

ReadyDC has resources to help businesses create emergency plans, protect critical information, and improve your workforce’s personal preparedness efforts. Learn more by visiting ready.dc.gov/business.

Report suspicious activity. If you see something that doesn’t feel right, report it at iwatchdc.org inform a police officer or call 911 if there is an emergency or you are in immediate danger. Also, keep up-to-date on the latest on Inuauguration Day from D.C. Government here.