This is the first in an occasional washingtonpost.com feature asking voters about major issues in this election season. The responses below represent a sampling of those gathered on Aug. 18.

Click on the voter's name or photograph to hear his or her extended answer.

Question: What is the most important issue in the race for D.C. mayor?

Location: Outside the Martin Luther King Jr. Library, 901 G St. NW.

 

"It’s home rule. People have to know what democracy is in this town. I think if there’s no democracy in the District, there’s no democracy in America. " -Elijah Gatewood, 33, Bike messenger Ward 6

 

"I think it’s electing a candidate who will be able to rebuild the infrastructure in a way that somehow can break the old habits and the old ties, which seem to have slowed down the process." -Jack Jackson, 48, Attorney Ward 2

 

"The most important issue is providing services for those people, the grass-roots people, attending meetings and helping these people, giving them resources and referrals so that they can help themselves. " -The Rev. Edward H. Harris, 66, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Ward 7

 

"I guess the most important issues need to be the schools. I think the schools need a lot of improvement." -Carol Bradwell, 43 Librarian Ward 5

 

"The people [and] what the people want. Not use it [the mayor's office] for political power, gain, purpose, dirty laundry, back and forth." -Josephine Miller, 35 Unemployed Ward 7