The D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics today formally declared D.C. Council Chair Kwame Brown’s seat vacant and scheduled a special election to fill it on November 6, the same day as the regularly scheduled general election.

Well, this makes things a little more interesting: during a hearing regarding an audit of current D.C. Council Chair Kwame Brown’s 2008 campaign finances, the D.C. Office of Campaign Finance revealed that the United States Attorney’s Office has begun investigating the claims.

As we noted on Tuesday, regardless of whether the government shuts down, the District will continue its preparations for its April 26 city-wide special election. As part of those preparations, the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics announced today that it will be extend hours for in-person absentee voting until 8 p.m. on Mondays through Saturday, beginning on Monday, April 11.

The United States Supreme Court is preparing to rule on a petition brought by indefatigable same-sex marriage opponent Bishop Harry Jackson which argues that the citizens of the District should vote on whether or not such marriages should be legal. The Washington Blade reports that the country’s highest judicial body could render a decision on the case as soon as next Tuesday. Justices are scheduled to conference regarding the case on Friday.

Martin Austermuhle, DCist politics reporter/columnist, stick figure artist extraordinaire and recipient of two write-in votes for Mayor (no, I am not kidding), will be live tweeting from the headquarters of the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics tonight as the District’s votes are tallied. Polls in the District close at 8 p.m. You can follow along with Martin below.