WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — With Election Day just four days away, a sense of unease remains across the District.
“Scared, I’m feeling scared. I’m nervous about the way the rest of the country is going to go. And more so I am nervous that we can’t mend this rift that has taken our country over,” said Patrick Burritt.
Burritt voted early on Friday and said there are several issues he cares about in this election.
“Number one would be the president. That would be the prime motivation. But, the initiative for ranked choice is also really important to me,” he said.
As voters continue to cast their ballots, agencies and businesses across D.C. are preparing for Election Day and the inauguration.
Security fencing is up around the White House, as crews work to prepare the inauguration parade watch area. Added levels of fencing are also being installed around several federal buildings, including the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
Businesses in the downtown area are boarding up glass doors and windows in anticipation of any protests that could occur.
Burritt understands the precautions.
“I think D.C. is especially vulnerable being a seat of power and I think our nation is in an extremely vulnerable time, especially in this time between the election and January 6,” he said. “We’ve seen things go down before. Hopefully, we don’t see any shenanigans again, but I’m praying.”
He’s hoping things remain peaceful.
However, already this week a man was arrested for vandalizing a political piece of artwork installed at Freedom Plaza.
According to court documents, the man used a skateboard to destroy a statue of a tiki torch, which was intended to mock former President Donald Trump and his comments about a white supremacist march in Charlottesville, Va. back in 2017.
“I’m a little nervous. I’m worried about the fate of our country and I’m worried about the immediate repercussion of our votes,” said Nicole Vikan, who voted early this election.
She said the presidential race was the top reason she came out to vote.
Other voters, like Sara Bronin, are trying to remain optimistic over the next few days.
“You wish the political process would not result in some of the things we have seen when it comes to elections in recent years. For me, I’m hoping we see a lot of joy after this election,” she said.
Bronin said this is an important election with many consequential issues at stake.
“We have housing on the ballot, we have fair elections and democracy on the ballot, we have women’s rights on the ballot,” she said. “We’re making decisions now for the next generation.”
The Metropolitan Police Department is increasing its presence through Election Day and working in partnership with the Board of Elections Office.
