Voters use the ballot drop box at Veterans Plaza in Downtown Silver Spring in 2020 by Elvert Barnes licensed under Creative Commons.

MoCo judge rules MD mail-in ballots can now be counted before Election Day

The decision was made after the Maryland State Board of Elections filed an emergency petition to change the policy of having to wait two days after Election Day to count mail-in votes. This follows a failed effort by the Maryland General Assembly to change the policy (it was vetoed by the governor), and a lengthy Montgomery County Executive primary election count this summer.  (Callan Tansill-Suddath / DCist)  

WMATA may shrink West Falls Church parking lot for new development

The south West Falls Church parking lot would be replaced with mixed-use development and reconfigured bus bays and pick-up/drop-off facilities. The redevelopment would still leave a significant number of spaces, but plans showed demand for spaces had been steadily dropping anyway due to the addition of the Silver Line.  (FFXNow / Angela Woolsey)  

DC will assess all bridges for feasibility of suicide barriers

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is assessing District bridges to see if it’s possible to add suicide barriers, after calls to action from Dr. Chelsea Van Thof, who lost her long-time partner after he jumped from the Taft Bridge on Connecticut Avenue in April.  (Martin Austermuhle / DCist)  

Alexandria may build new bike/ped bridge from West End to Landmark mall redevelopment

The City of Alexandria is examining options with private developers for the bicycle and pedestrian bridge to connect neighborhoods west of I-395 directly to the new hospital and mixed-use district being built at the site of the former shopping mall.  (Vernon Miles / ALXNow)  

Baltimore city councilmember introduces bill to end single-family zoning citywide

However, housing advocates are concerned that the bill may not be as effective. No date has been set for a vote on the measure, which would update the 2016 housing ordinance that allowed some multi-unit housing conversions and new multi-family buildings in all but four zoning quadrants.  (Baltimore Banner)  

DC’s Rapid Rehousing program waivers to end Friday

DC’s Rapid Rehousing program has been under scrutiny from housing advocates and residents alike for several years. For now, the DC Council will take up a reform bill in the coming weeks while some program participants may lose their homes this Friday.  (Paras Shah / DCist)  

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