Written by DCist contributor Gayle Putrich

We might get the shaft in Congress, but there is at least one place your vote counts, Washington: the 2007 Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington Awards; the Associations 25th (Happy Anniversary!).

Of the myriad categories for the annual awards, affectionately known as the RAMMYs, three are determined by vox populi from a list of nominees. There’s also a write-in free-for-all for the “People’s Favorite,” where you just type the restaurant name into an empty box, cross your fingers and send it off into the ether.

But time is ticking — voting closes May 29. Vote early, vote often at the association’s Web site. Okay, we’re kidding about that “often” part. Ballots must have a valid email address to be counted and PriceWaterhouseCooper is doing the counting (the same people who audit the Federal Election Commission, so you can be assured your vote is in safe hands). You can also buy tickets for the June 17 Gala! Award! Presentation! at the Marriott Wardman Park and check out upcoming association-sponsored gastronomic events.

No mastication without representation.

People’s choice categories and nominees after the jump.

Photo from Union Station’s Cafe from BJ Jr.