Polls open smoothly in D.C.

The city's 143 polling locations each opened on time Tuesday morning, said Rokey W. Suleman II, executive director of the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics. That represents a much improved showing from the Sept. 14 primary, when issues with new equipment led to late openings in a handful of precincts.

As in September, Suleman said there have been "hiccups", most involving poll workers who had trouble connecting printers to voting machines. The printers are necessary to print reports before polls open, showing that no votes have been cast on the machines. None of the issues delayed voters, Suleman said.

At Precinct 141, at the Frank D. Reeves Center at 14th and U Streets NW, some poll workers did not show up, requiring officials to send in backup personnel.

Traci Hughes, a spokeswoman for Vincent Gray's mayoral campaign, said that she has gotten fewer complaints than in September. "I'm not getting the frantic calls," she said. "So far, so good."

After the primary, the board offered precinct captains and other poll workers as much as eight hours of additional training to prevent a repeat of September's problems. Officials, criticized for the late timing of primary returns, will face an additional test this evening as they aim to more swiftly report the day's results.

--Mike DeBonis

Here's The Post's guide on the 2010 General Election, which includes information on the candidates and the issues. Let us know if you encounter problems at your polling place. You can also post your Election Day photos here.