Alexandria residents will vote Tuesday in the city's first Democratic primary in decades, choosing among 14 candidates for six city council spots in November's general election.
The candidates run the gamut from long-time residents to local public school employees to outspoken anti-development activists. Many said they're running because they feel the council has lost touch with residents over a number of controversial local issues, including development on the city's iconic waterfront and revitalization of the Beauregard neighborhood.
It's the first Democratic primary in Alexandria since 1962. Polls are open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
"The committee voted to have a primary because of the desire to be as open and transparent to the electorate as they could possibly get," said Dak Hardwick, chairman of the city's Democratic committee.
Hardwick says he expects 7,000 to 15,000 voters Tuesday.
"Alexandria has approximately 95,000 registered voters, and you certainly can't miss all the signs on the public medians -- there's definitely an election on," he said. "I'm hopeful people take the time to vote."
A sample ballot and polling place information is available at alexandriava.gov/Elections.
