Signs on the plywood on the doors to the White House Historical Association store near Lafayette Square the day before the election.

One early and unnerving election indicator: plywood.
In recent days, the ominous precaution has been evident all across downtown Washington, fanning out several blocks from the White House. Plywood has been spreading around Capitol Hill, along the nightlife corridors of 14th Street and Adams Morgan, and reaching into the suburbs. Storefronts and office buildings were being boarded up throughout the weekend and probably will be until this is all over, whenever that is.
Plywood is never a comforting sign. It suggests chaos and riots, hunkering down and hurricanes. Elections? That's not how it is supposed to go here. Yes, the country is palpably on edge, and there have already been scattered reports of ugly episodes.