[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 19 (Monday, February 6, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E147]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCTION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA SPECIAL ELECTION REFORM ACT

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 6, 2012

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce the District of Columbia 
Special Election Reform Act. I introduced similar legislation last 
Congress, which passed without objection by the House Committee on 
Oversight and Government Reform and the full House. Final enactment of 
the bill was prevented, however, by an anonymous hold in the Senate, 
which is no longer allowed in that Chamber. This bill is of great 
importance to the District of Columbia, particularly now as the 
District of Columbia Council is faced with the sort of vacancy that 
this bill is meant to address. The District has to hold a special 
election just one month after the primary election, which will cost the 
city an estimated $318,000. Although this bill will not take effect 
before the upcoming special election, the bill will provide the 
District with the flexibility in the future to conduct fair elections 
without such redundancies and unnecessary costs. The District of 
Columbia Special Election Reform Act is of little concern to Congress, 
but the D.C. Council cannot amend the Home Rule Charter. All of the 
provisions in the bill have been passed or approved by the District of 
Columbia.
  The District of Columbia Special Election Reform Act makes minor 
changes to the District's Home Rule Charter to provide the city greater 
flexibility to conduct special elections for vacancies in the office of 
mayor, attorney general, Council chairman and other members of the 
District of Columbia Council. Current law requires that a special 
election be held on the first Tuesday occurring more than 114 days 
after a vacancy. The bill would establish a range during which a 
special election may be conducted, between 70 and 174 days, to reduce 
the gap in local representation, while also allowing the Board of 
Elections to take into account important factors when scheduling a 
special election, such as maximizing voter participation and avoiding 
conflicts with religious and culture observances.
  I very much appreciate the opportunity to work closely with the House 
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Darrell Issa to 
develop this bill, and look forward to the bill being signed into law.

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