Brief

Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson moved to temporarily relax parking restrictions and enforcement on election days in 2026 to encourage voter participation. The motion directs the city to ease parking rules during primary and general election periods. Council unanimously adopted the measure 15-0 on May 19, 2026.

Full summary

On May 8, 2026, Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson introduced a motion directing the Department of Transportation to relax enforcement of parking restrictions near polling sites throughout the city during the 2026 primary and general elections. The relaxed enforcement applies for as long as each polling site is open for voting on election days, targeting the immediate vicinity of voting locations rather than citywide parking rules broadly. The motion's premise is straightforward: parking enforcement near polling sites can discourage voters from turning out, particularly if they fear receiving a ticket during the time it takes to cast a ballot. By instructing the Department of Transportation to stand down on enforcement at those locations during voting hours, the Council aimed to remove a practical obstacle to participation without requiring any change to the underlying parking ordinances themselves. The motion went directly from introduction to the full Council without a committee referral, routed by the City Clerk for placement on the next regular agenda under Council Rule 51. Council adopted it unanimously, 15-0, on May 19, 2026, less than two weeks after it was introduced. Councilmember Heather Hutt seconded the motion.

Activity (3)

• 2026-05-19 Council adopted item, subject to reconsideration, pursuant to Council Rule 51.
• 2026-05-15 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on May 19, 2026.
• 2026-05-08 Motion referred to Council.

Documents (1)

• 2026-05-08 Motion · motion