Voters are flocking to the polls to vote early across the region. In the meantime, city leaders are preparing ahead of Election Day and the inauguration, aiming to be ready in case of massive crowds, protests, or unrest. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser joined the show to discuss what measures the District is putting in place to keep residents safe. Plus, we asked Mayor Bowser to weigh in on ranked choice voting and the D.C. Council's emergency legislation restricting protesting in residential neighborhoods.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Virginia could resume purging suspected noncitizens from voter rolls. The decision overturns a previous ruling made by a federal judge days earlier to reinstate some 1,600 voters. WAMU's Northern Virginia reporter Margaret Barthel explained what exactly is going on, how it could affect election results, and why this is good news for Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin.

Become a member of WAMU: wamu.org/donate

Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.org

Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885

The race for Maryland's 6th congressional district seat appears to be a tossup, making it the most competitive U.S. House race in the state. A fiery forum spotlighted the divide between candidates on immigration, the economy, and abortion rights. The race takes center stage this week, with Democrat April McClain Delaney and Republican Neil Parrott each got behind the mic and made their pitch to voters.

On the show Friday, they put forward different priorities on things like gun control.

On Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi Friday, McClain Delaney said she’d support tougher restrictions.

“Common sense gun legislation, I think, includes bans on military assault weapons and universal background checks. And with so many spiraling depression, mental health, anxiety issues, red flag laws," said Delaney. Congress banned assault weapons in 1994, but the ban lapsed a decade later.

Republican Neil Parrot, however, says he would not vote for a ban.

“We have a second amendment. We need to make sure people have the right to bear arms. Of course, they need to be reasonable.. which we have, so I think we are okay there.”

When it comes to curbing gun violence, Parrott said he’d prefer to find quote “other solutions.”.

Virginia's 7th congressional district race is also tight, with Republican Derrick Anderson and Democrat Eugene Vindman vying to replace Rep. Abigail Spanberger, who's running for governor. Last week, Vindman joined the show, and now, it was Anderson's turn to discuss his campaign with Kojo and Tom. We will talked about his military service, congressional control, and reproductive rights.

He restated his position on abortion.

"I do not support a national ban. I support IVF and I do support over the counter contraceptives," Anderson said.

When asked, he would not say whether he would support a federal law protecting abortion. Anderson says the issue should be left to states to decide.

Become a member of WAMU: wamu.org/donate

Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.org

Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885

Kojo and a panel of local reporters took your comments and answered your election-related questions on-air during our primetime call-in special.

We discussed races across Maryland, D.C., and Virginia, as well as how the outcome of the presidential race might affect our region.

There were questions about the close Maryland Senate race. And how Initiative 83 and ranked choice voting might impact future elections in the District. We also discussed how the presidential race could affect the tens of thousands of federal workers across the region.

Teo Armus from the Washington Post, Sam P.K. Collins from the Washington Informer, and Maryland Matters' Will Ford joined Kojo to answer your calls, emails, and messages.

Become a member of WAMU: wamu.org/donate

Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.org

Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885