Norton Introduces Bill to Give D.C. Authority Over Dates of Special Elections for Local Offices

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced the District of Columbia Special Elections Home Rule Act, which would give the District complete authority to set the date of special elections for local offices, as other jurisdictions already have. The bill would remove a limitation on the District that is not only inconsistent with the self-government authority granted by the Home Rule Act, but is also counterproductive. This bill would strengthen the District's home-rule authority and does not require statehood.

"The Home Rule Act originally required the Board of Elections to hold special elections on the first Tuesday more than 114 days from when the vacancy occurred," Norton said. "This inflexibility led to special elections being held on religious holidays and forced the District to hold a special election separate from an upcoming general election, costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in extra election costs. A 2012 law I got enacted requires the Board of Elections to hold a special election on a Tuesday occurring between 70 and 174 days after the vacancy. My new bill would provide even greater flexibility for the District."

Pending passage and enactment of her D.C. statehood bill, Norton introduces legislation to reduce the federal government’s control over local D.C. matters and to expand D.C. equality.

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