District of Columbia Special Elections Home Rule Act
Summary
The District of Columbia Special Elections Home Rule Act amends the District of Columbia Home Rule Act. It allows the DC government to establish the timing of special elections for local offices, including Mayor, Attorney General, and Council members. This shifts control over election timing from the federal level to the local DC government.
Expected Effects
The bill grants the District of Columbia greater autonomy over its local elections. This change empowers the DC government to set the procedures and timing for special elections. The amendments will apply to vacancies occurring after a one-year period following the Act's enactment.
Potential Benefits
- Increased local control over electoral processes.
- Greater responsiveness to local needs and circumstances in election timing.
- Streamlined election procedures tailored to the District of Columbia.
- Empowerment of the DC Board of Elections to manage special elections efficiently.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for partisan manipulation of election timing at the local level.
- Risk of disenfranchisement if local procedures are poorly designed or implemented.
- Possible conflicts between local and federal election laws.
- Increased administrative burden on the DC Board of Elections.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the principles of local governance and self-determination, though the Constitution does not explicitly address the specifics of local elections in the District of Columbia. Congress has the power to legislate for the District under Article I, Section 8, Clause 17, but this bill cedes some of that control to the local government. The bill does not appear to violate any specific constitutional provision.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).