PROTESTERS DEMAND MARIJUANA VOTE TALLY

About 50 people protested yesterday outside the D.C. Board of Elections and
Ethics offices demanding the release of results from last week's vote on
legalizing marijuana for medical purposes.

The demonstrators -- including D.C. Council member-elect Phil Mendelson
(D-At Large) -- chanted "push the button now" outside the board offices at
441 Fourth St. NW. On Monday, attorneys for the District told a U.S.
District Court judge that elections officials have not pressed one button
that would calculate the results of the vote on the initiative.

Election officials have said they have been unable to certify the vote
because a congressional amendment to the D.C. budget prohibits the city
from spending any money on the initiative.

On Monday, the judge said he would wait a month before deciding, to give
the federal government a chance to weigh in on the matter. An exit poll
paid for by supporters of the initiative showed that it passed
overwhelmingly.

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski