Lesson Plan - Teacher Talking Points on DC Voting Rights

1. Why have DC residents been unable to attain voting rights?

   • The U.S. Constitution did not take into account the large residential population that would eventually settle in the District.

   • Many Representatives are hesitant to relinquish their absolute power over the District.

   • Nearly 80 percent of Americans are unaware that DC is denied representation.

   • DC's Democratic majority discourages a Republican-controlled Congress to add more Democratic seats.

   • The overwhelmingly white Congress has traditionally been hesitant to grant the District's African American majority a vote in the House and Senate. Before DC residents could elect a city council or mayor, Washington was controlled by a Board of Commissioners, three men appointed by the President to run the city. These men were often white pro-segregation Southern "Dixiecrats." Inequality and racial tension racked the city while under their control. Many consider ensuring equal rights for District residents the last hurdle of the Civil Rights Movement.

   • Many Americans hold gross misconceptions about DC. Some of these misconceptions are that the District receives special privileges other states lack, that DC residents are not required to fulfill responsibilities other states must, or that there are no adverse consequences to the lack of representation. All are untrue.

   • After more than 200 years of injustice, Congress does not feel the issue of DC voting rights is pressing-unless they hear from constituents in their home district about this issue.

   • Though District residents have been fighting for equal rights for more than two centuries, the voting rights movement has made progress slowly but surely. DC did not gain the right to vote for president until 1961 or the right to vote for mayor and city council until 1973. The struggle continues, step-by-step, and will not stop until District residents receive the same rights as every other American.

2. How does the denial of DC voting rights affect you?

3. Is it okay that District residents are denied rights that other Americans share?

4. What local issues has Congress become involved in? How do these issues affect you?

   • Gun safety

   • Flat tax

   • School vouchers

   • Medical marijuana

   • HIV/AIDS prevention

   • Death penalty

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