Image by Ted Eytan licensed under Creative Commons.

This week the Maryland GOP targets Aruna Miller, a billionaire sets his sights on Virginia, Charles Allen pushes to lower the age of voting in DC, the chattering classes evaluate the politics of Maryland's busy legislative session, and more in our election link roundup. Want to stay on top of our 2018 election coverage? Sign up for our weekly newsletter!

Unsurprisingly, DC voters care about education and equity
DC Council chair candidate Ed Lazere commissioned a poll of likely DC Democratic primary voters. A majority of voters believe that DC is headed in the right direction, but believe that “elected officials should be doing more” to combat the effects of gentrification. According to the poll, DC Democratic primary voters care most about closing the educational achievement gap, affordable housing and homelessness, closing the racial income and wealth gaps, and creating family-supporting jobs. A plurality are against HQ2 subsidies and a majority are for raising the tipped minimum wage. (Andrew Giambrone / Washington City Paper)

The kids are alright (and should vote)
Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen is again pushing to lower the voting age in DC to 16. DC would become the first municipality to allow minors to cast ballots in presidential elections and the first major city to allow minors to vote in local elections. Allen already has support from Brianne Nadeau, Trayon White, Robert White, Anita Bonds, and David Grosso. One more vote is needed. Takoma Park, Greenbelt, and Hyattsville already lowered the voting age to 16 for municipal elections. (Martin Austermuhle and Kathy Goldgeier / WAMU)

DC lawmakers stake out positions on HQ2 subsidies
A number of DC lawmakers have joined council chair candidate Ed Lazere in criticizing the Bowser administration’s approach to luring Amazon HQ2. Subsidies for Amazon’s new headquarters has become a major election issue. Nadeau, Bonds, and Allen are calling for hearings so that the DC Council is not surprised with a last-minute vote on a subsidies package. Mendelson and Cheh support the administration's quiet approach, and argue that it's premature to publicly discuss what is being offered. (Andrew Giambrone and Morgan Baskin / City Paper)

GOP targets Aruna Miller
The Maryland GOP is attacking Delegate Aruna Miller, a candidate for Maryland’s 6th congressional district, of “rolling out the red carpet for criminals” in a new mailer. The GOP also claims that MS-13 gangs have “invaded neighborhoods” and blames them for the opioid crisis. Miller responds that “as an immigrant and proud American, I find the dog-whistle rhetoric used by Trump Republicans to be despicable.” (Paul Schwartzman / Post)

Prince George’s County Executive candidate defends speed cameras as lifesaving
Maryland State Senator C. Anthony Muse (D – Prince George’s County) provides a robust defense of speed cameras in the face of criticism and legislation that would further limit their use by law. Many see cameras as revenue-generation ploys, but Muse is not buying this. ”Too many lives are being lost because people choose to break the law,” Muse said. “Don’t speed – that’s the message we want to get out. I don’t care where the money goes.” Muse is running to become the next executive of Prince George’s County. (Luz Lazo / Post)

Congressman Brown endorses Alsobrooks
Representative Anthony Brown (D-Maryland) announced this week that he is supporting State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks in her effort to become Prince George’s County’s next executive. Brown overlooked Donna Edwards, who he succeeded in congress. Brown worked with Alsobrooks when he was lieutenant governor and believes that she is the strongest candidate on crime and education. (Rachel Chason / Post)

Rockville takes the vote to the voter
The Rockville City Council voted unanimously to allow for vote-by-mail in local elections. The city’s 40,000 registered voters will receive their ballots by mail and can return them by mail, beginning in November 2019. Voters will still have to turn up at official polling locations for state and federal elections. The hope is to improve turnout in municipal elections. (Jennifer Barrios / Post)

Maryland's busy legislative session comes to an end
Maryland statehouse watchers read into how the flurry of last minute legislative activity might impact the 2018 elections. The conventional wisdom is that Governor Larry Hogan successfully maintained his image as a bipartisan deal maker, and may successfully protect himself from any anti-Trump Democratic wave. (Martin Austermuhle / WAMU)

A billionaire sets sights on Virginia
Billionaire financier Tom Steyer (the dude from all those impeach Trump ads on your feed) has established NextGen, an advocacy organization that is hoping to get young people registered to vote and to turn out for Democratic candidates. NextGen will rely on young staffers, social media, and a sustained presence to register, convince, and energize voters. One key target is Barbara Comstock’s seat in Virginia’s 10th district. (Jenna Portnoy / Post)