Press Releases

Click on any title for the full press release. View all releases in:   2013 · 2012 · 2011 · 2010 · 2009 · 2008 · 2007 · 2006 · 2005 · 2004 · 2003 · 2002 · 2001 · 2000

DC Iraq War Veterans to Demand Vote at Public Recognition for Service Members on January 3, 2005

Friday, December 31, 2004

Washington, DC - The Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that she will kick off the 2005 campaign for voting rights in the House on Monday, January 3, 2005, at noon in Room 2203 of the Rayburn House Office Building with soldiers from the District of Columbia who served in Iraq without a vote.

Leader Pelosi Grants DC Iraq War Veterans Voting Rights Meeting on January 3, 2005

Meeting with Pelosi Will Be Held Prior to Public Recognition of Veterans

Friday, December 31, 2004

Washington, DC - The Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton today announced that House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi has agreed to meet with three D.C. residents who served in Iraq in response to a December 28 letter from the men requesting meetings with Pelosi and House Speaker Dennis Hastert to ask for the return of the District's Committee of the Whole vote on the House floor. Pelosi will meet with Specialists Marcus Gray, Emory Kosh, Isaac Lewis, and Norton at 11:00 am on Monday, January 3, 2005, in the Leader's office, Room H-204 of the U.S. Capitol. A brief photo opportunity will take place at 11:10 AM.

Norton Got DC's Priorities in the 108th Congress Sets High Goals for 109th

Wednesday, December 29, 2004

Washington, DC - The Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released the Congresswoman's major goals for the upcoming session of the 109th Congress, as well as her accomplishments for the two-year 108th Congress, which began in 2003 and ends this year. Norton's Congressional Year-end Review and Goals features initiatives of considerable importance to the District's economy, DC voting rights, and homeland security.

Three DC Veterans of the Iraq War Ask Congressional Leaders for DC Voting Rights

Tuesday, December 28, 2004

Washington, DC - The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton today released a letter from three DC residents, who served in the Iraqi War, requesting separate meetings with Speaker Dennis Hastert and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi concerning the return of the District's vote in the Committee of the Whole.

DC Appleseed Appeals 'Commuter Tax' Lawsuit

Tuesday, December 14, 2004

Washington, DC - On December 13, 2004, DC Appleseed, with attorneys from Howrey Simon Arnold & White, Gilbert Heinz & Randolph, and White and Case, filed an appeal to overturn the congressional ban on the District's ability to impose a nonresident income tax - commonly known as a "commuter tax." The listed law firms represent 16 District residents, and DC Appleseed represents the D.C. Council and Mayor Anthony A. Williams. The appeal, which can be downloaded at www.dcappleseed.org/cprojects/tax.htm, was filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and seeks to reverse a March 2004 decision of U.S. District Judge Ellen Segal Huvelle.

Norton Requests Delegate Vote As Important Step Toward Full DC Voting Rights

Tuesday, November 16, 2004

Washington, DC - As the House convenes today, the office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released her letter seeking the return of the right of District of Columbia residents to vote in the Committee of the Whole in the House of Representatives. In a letter to Rep. David Dreier, Chair of the Rules Committee, Norton said that the District of Columbia is "the only tax-paying jurisdiction in the United States without congressional voting rights despite meeting all of the obligations of American citizenship."

Norton Asks Council to Consider Bringing Early Voting to DC

Wednesday, November 10, 2004

Washington, DC - The Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released a letter to D.C. City Council Chairman Linda W. Cropp recommending that the Council investigate the possibility of instituting early voting procedures in the District. Norton said that she was impressed with how the early voting that she saw when campaigning for the Democratic ticket allowed local jurisdictions to catch and fix problems in time to assure the integrity of votes cast and counted.

Republic of Belarus Introduces UN General Assembly Resolution

Condemning US Government for Violating Political Rights of Residents of the District of Columbia by Denying Them Equal Representation in Congress

Monday, November 8, 2004

Washington, DC - On November 2, 2004, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Belarus to the United Nations introduced a draft resolution in the Third Committee of the 59th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on the "Situation of Democracy and Human Rights in the United States of America." The draft resolution highlights the case of the denial of equal Congressional voting rights to the people of Washington, DC, who have never enjoyed the basic right to equal, voting representation in their own national legislature.

Organization for Security and Cooperation in (OSCE) to Report on Denial of Congressional Voting Rights to DC Residents

DC Voting Advocates Claim Important Victory in Efforts to Internationalize DC Voting Rights Issue

Thursday, November 4, 2004

Washington, DC - In preliminary findings issued today at the National Press Club by the OSCE Election Observation Mission (EOM), which was invited by the United States government to observe the November 2 presidential elections, the EOM declared its intention to issue a comprehensive final report which “will address… the restricted representation in Congress of residents of the District of Columbia.” See: www.osce.org.

Republic of Belarus Challenges U.S. Government to Grant Congressional Voting Rights to DC Residents

U.S. Responds - Claiming District's Disenfranchisement Is Imaginary - a 'Supossed Disenfranchisement'

Monday, November 1, 2004

Washington, DC - Belarus’s Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) blasted the United States Government at the OSCE’s Permanent Council meeting in Vienna, Austria on October 21st , charging that the US was violating OSCE democratic election standards, which it is obligated to observe, by denying the residents of Washington, DC the right to vote for Congressional representatives.

DC Vote 'Bring Democracy Home' PSA Airs on Comcast

Viewers Will Learn of DC's Disenfranchisement during Election Week

Monday, November 1, 2004

Washington, DC - Beginning Monday, November 1, a 30 second version of DC Vote's 'Bring Democracy Home' public service announcement will begin airing on Comcast of the District. The timing couldn't be better as the spot will air on CNN, Headline News, Fox News, MSNBC, and CNBC (among several other networks) which should all have quite a captive audience as Comcast viewers watch Tuesday's election and its ensuing results.

Norton Moves to Help Avoid Voting Problems in DC Emerging in Other States

Friday, October 22, 2004

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) spoke with D.C. Postmaster Delores Killette and D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics (BOEE) Executive Director Alice Miller last evening concerning calls from residents to Norton's office regarding the difficulty in getting responses to questions about absentee ballots and other matters concerning the upcoming elections because of backlogged phone calls.

Belarus Statement to OSCE Permanent Council by Mr. Viktar Gaisenak about DC Voting Rights

Thursday, October 21, 2004

OSCE - "Allow me for my part, also, to touch on the electoral problems in connection with the forthcoming elections in the United States of America.

"We are carefully following the progress of preparations for the elections because the conduct of the last presidential elections in the United States in 2000 gives very serious grounds for questioning the democratic nature of the election process in the United States, the conformity of its results with the will of the electorate and the conformity of the entire electoral process in general with OSCE commitments."

Norton Moves on to Senate to Assure DC Gun Safety Protection

Wednesday, September 29, 2004

Washington, DC - The House today passed, H.R. 3193, a bill to repeal D.C. gun safety laws, on a vote of 250 to 171. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said that the District still has a decent chance to retain its current protections because she has already pushed back two attempts this year to pass this same bill in the Senate. "This is no time to relax, however," Norton said. "It is time to stand watch in a Congress that has not known how to give up on guns or to respect the home rule prerogatives of local government."

Democracy Under Attack - Activists Will Hold Protest

House to Vote on Dismantling Washington, DC's Gun Safety Laws

Tuesday, September 28, 2004

Washington, DC - DC Vote, the Citizens to Save D.C. Gun Safety Laws, and numerous other local and national pro-democracy organizations will hold a PROTEST on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 at 8:00 AM on Independence Avenue between South Capitol and First Streets, SE (across from the Longworth House Office Building and two blocks north of the Capitol South Metro Station – Blue and Orange Lines). Activists will be protesting efforts by the House to pass legislation (H.R. 3193) dismantling DC’s local gun safety laws.

Norton Ready to Fight Gun Repeal on House Floor Next Wednesday

Friday, September 24, 2004

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said today that the House has scheduled a vote to repeal D.C.'s gun safety laws next Wednesday, September 29, 2004.

DC Vote, Other Organizations Urge Congress to Oppose Dismantling DC's Gun Safety Laws

Friday, September 24, 2004

Washington, DC – On Wednesday, September 29, the U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote on an extraordinarily political – and controversial – measure that would repeal the gun safety laws of the District of Columbia. While our nation’s capital is in the midst of a level orange terrorist threat, Rep. Mark Souder (R-Indiana) and Rep. Mike Ross (D-Arkansas) are leading the House’s effort to dismantle the gun safety laws that have been in place in the District since the 1970’s.

Norton in Discussions with Democratic Congressional Leaders and D.C. Citizen Leaders on Actions to Stop Gun Safety Law Repeal

Friday, September 17, 2004

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said today that she has been in discussions with Democratic congressional leaders about the threatened vote to repeal D.C.'s gun laws and with District residents and community leaders who want to fight to save the laws and to demand respect for home rule. Next week a coalition of relatives of gun victims, business leaders, education leaders, clergy, parents and union officials will announce the formation of a citizens' group to save the city's gun safety laws.

DC Citizens Mobilizing With Norton at News Conference Monday to Save DC Gun Safety Laws

Friday, September 17, 2004

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will introduce the seven co-chairs of Citizens to Save D.C. Gun Safety Laws and then turn the press conference over to them on Monday, September 20, 2004 at 1 PM in Room SD G-11 of the Senate Dirksen Office Building, the day before the Senate Appropriations Committee will mark up the D.C. appropriation, on which a gun repeal amendment could be attached.

Norton with Kerry at Assault Weapons Press Conference Says House Will Schedule Vote to Repeal All DC Gun Laws

Monday, September 13, 2004

Washington, DC - At a press conference on the reauthorization of the assault weapons ban with Senator John Kerry today, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) revealed that the House soon will schedule a vote to repeal all of D.C.'s gun laws and that the bill has enough cosponsors to pass. However, she said that she believes the bill has a decent chance of failing in the Senate.

Norton Get Well Letter to Clinton Reveals Promise to Attend Voting Rights Town Meeting

Tuesday, September 7, 2004

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released a letter to President Bill Clinton today conveying the relief and delight of D.C. residents that his heart bypass surgery was successful. "Many prayed and others were simply confident that the 'comeback kid' would do it again," she wrote. Norton also said that Clinton would have a rain check on his promise to participate in a town meeting on voting rights here.

Eleanor Holmes Norton Criticizes GOP for Excluding DC Voting Rights from Platform Despite Local Repulican Efforts

Friday, August 27, 2004

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said today that she was saddened to learn that despite the efforts of the D.C. Republican Committee, the GOP once again has denied D.C. citizens their recognition as U.S. citizens by refusing D.C. platform committee language endorsing minimum voting representation - in the House only.

Bring Democracy Home – DC Vote’s Latest Educational Video

Video Highlights Service and Sacrifice of DC’s Disenfranchised Soldiers and Veterans

Tuesday, July 20, 2004

Washington, DC - On Wednesday, July 21 at 11:00 am in the ground-floor press room of the Wilson Building, DC Vote will launch its latest educational video and public service announcement, Bring Democracy Home. The launch is being held during DC Mayor Anthony Williams' weekly press conference. The video is 60-seconds long and can be viewed from DC Vote's website at www.dcvote.org.

Norton's Work With House Members Eliminates Marriage, Gun Repeal, and Anti-Immigrant Attachments

Cleanest D.C. Appropriation Passes the House

Tuesday, July 20, 2004

Washington, DC - The Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said that after strenuous efforts by Norton over the past few days, the House today approved the District's FY05 budget with no new riders and without threatened riders to ban same-sex marriages, repeal D.C. gun laws, and prevent documented non-citizen residents from voting in D.C. elections. All three amendments were on the table this week, but Members were persuaded to withdraw.

GOP Chair Backs DC Voting Rights at Hill Hearing

Wednesday, June 23, 2004

Washington, DC - D.C. GOP Chair Betsy Werronen joined a panel of witnesses today in support of D.C. voting rights at a hearing of the House Government Reform Committee on Capitol Hill.

Mayor Williams Presses for District Voting Rights on Capitol Hill

Wednesday, June 23, 2004

Washington, DC - Mayor Anthony A. Williams testified today before the House Committee on Government Reform to exhort Congress to move forward on voting rights for the citizens of the District of Columbia. Mayor Williams' testimony focused on four bills with varied approaches, introduced by Chairman Tom Davis (R-VA), Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Congressman Ralph Regula (R-OH) and Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA).

U.S. House of Representatives - Committee on Government Reform Hearing on DC Voting Rights Bills

Testimony of DC Vote Executive Director Ilir Zherka

Wednesday, June 23, 2004

Washington, DC - Mr. Chairman, members of Committee, I would like to thank you for inviting me to testify at this historic hearing on how we fulfill the promise of American Democracy for people living in the capital of the free world.

Passage of House Bill Responds to Council Charter Priorities and School Superintendent Candidate Matter

Monday, June 21, 2004

Washington, DC - The Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that today the House passed H.R. 3797, unprecedented legislation of major importance to the city, to promote efficiency and discourage appropriation riders. Introduced by Norton and Government Reform Committee Chairman Tom Davis (R-VA) in February, the 2004 District of Columbia Omnibus Authorization Act, will provide a new annual vehicle for enacting laws that change the Home Rule Charter or involve federal laws without attaching them to the D.C. appropriation.

Park Service Responds to Norton Letter With Funds to Repair DC World War I Memorial

Thursday, June 17, 2004

Washington, DC - In response to a letter Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) wrote to Fran Mainella, Director of the National Park Service (NPS) last month, asking for her "attention to a serious neglect" of the D.C. World War I Memorial, NPS officials today said that the Park Service has included more than a half million dollars in the FY '06 NPS budget request for maintenance and preservation of the Memorial.

Court Orders DC Elections Board to Count DC Statehood Green Party Primary Write-In Votes

Statehood Green Voter David Best Wins His Lawsuit against the DC Board of Elections and Ethics

Monday, June 7, 2004

Washington, DC - On June 4, the D.C. Court of Appeals decided in favor of D.C. Statehood Green voter David Best in his lawsuit against the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics, which had refused to tabulate write-in votes cast by some Statehood Green voters in the January 13 primary election. The Court, in its decision, ordered the Board to count the write-in votes.

Eleanor Holmes Norton to Give Memorial Day Message to Returning DC National Guard

Friday, May 28, 2004

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will speak to returning members of the 274th Military Police Company of the D.C. Army National Guard at 1:00 PM today (Friday, May 28, 2004) at the D.C. National Guard Armory, 2001 East Capitol Street, SE.

Norton Seeks National Park Service Immediate Attention to Neglected DC World War I Memorial on the Mall

Friday, May 28, 2004

Washington, DC - As the District and the nation prepare to honor our veterans on Memorial Day, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton today wrote a letter to Fran Mainella, Director of the National Park Service (NPS), asking for her "attention to a serious neglect" of the D.C. World War I Memorial on the Mall that is entrusted to the care of the NPS.

Eleanor Holmes Norton - Letter to President on US Attorney

Wednesday, May 26, 2004

Dear Mr. President,

Roscoe Howard, Jr., the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, called me last week to indicate that he was submitting his resignation. My office worked closely with Mr. Howard throughout his tenure. I am sorry to see him go and was pleased with his accomplishments in office.

Norton Gets Congress to Shoulder Tuition Funds for DC National Guard

Thursday, May 20, 2004

Washington, DC - The Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that she has gotten her bill to provide federal tuition assistance for members of the D.C. Army and Air National Guard included as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization expected to pass in the House today.

Testimony of Ilir Zherka on 'Sense of the Council in Support of Voting Rights Advancement in the Congress of the United States Resolution of 2004'

DC City Council, Subcommittee on Public Interests, Roundtable on PR 15-855

Wednesday, May 19, 2004

Washington, DC - Mr. Chairman, members of the Subcommittee, thank you very much for allowing me to testify today on this very important resolution. I want to thank you and thank Shadow Representative Ray Browne for your tireless leadership on the issue of DC voting rights.

Young Suffragists' Rally a Success!

Thursday, May 6, 2004

Washington, DC – Nearly 30 children led families and friends on a march in front of the White House today to rally for DC voting rights. For these DC area schoolchildren, the raucous tea party and protest wraps up a year of programs celebrating civic responsibility and community action.

First Structural Imbalance Bill with Bipartisan Regional Support to Be Introduced Tomorrow

Monday, May 3, 2004

Washington, DC - In an important breakthrough, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today said that she will introduce a bill tomorrow for an $800 million federal contribution to address the District's structural imbalance--for the first time with Republican and Democratic Members from the region as original cosponsors-- Government Reform Committee Chair Tom Davis(R-VA), Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Frank Wolf (R-VA), Congressional Black Caucus Chair Elijah Cummings (D-MD), and Representatives Jim Moran (D-VA), Albert Wynn (D-MD), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).

Norton Tax Day Message Reminds Congress and the Nation of Debt Due D.C.

for Taxation Without Representation and Service Without a Vote

Thursday, April 15, 2004

Washington, DC - On April 15, as Americans meet their tax obligations today, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released the following statement to remind the Congress and the country that our government has always gotten 100 percent of the obligations of citizenship from D.C. residents but has always failed in its obligation to reciprocate with the basic rights every government owes to taxpaying citizens-voting representation in Congress.

It’s Time to Let Washington Be Heard!

District Residents Must Pay Federal Taxes Without Representation in Congress

Thursday, April 15, 2004

Washington, DC – As thousands of Americans complete their federal income tax forms in time to meet the April 15th deadline, residents of Washington, DC, feel an extra burden on this day.

It’s Tax Day. It’s Time. Let Washington Be Heard!

Monday, April 12, 2004

Washington, DC - We fight for America in times of war. We serve on juries to uphold American freedom. We pay our federal taxes like all Americans.

Yet, without full voting representation in the U.S. Congress, the voices of Washington are silenced.

Norton Wants Helsinki Commission Hearing on D.C. Voting Rights

Delegate Sends Letter to House and Senate Helsinki Commissioners

Wednesday, April 7, 2004

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released a letter to congressional representatives who comprise the Helsinki Commission requesting hearings on a February finding by the Organization of American States (OAS) Inter-American Commission on Human Rights that the United States is in violation of international human rights law by denying congressional voting rights to D.C. residents. The letter was addressed to Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman; and Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO), Co-Chairman of the Helsinki Commission, consisting of 18 Members of the House and Senate, and two officials from the Departments of State and Commerce.

Norton Gets House Passage of D.C. Coin Bill for a Third Time

Thursday, March 25, 2004

Washington, DC - For the third time, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today got House passage of her bill, the District of Columbia and United States Territories Circulating Quarter Dollar Program Act, that will allow the District to put a design of its choice on the reverse side of a quarter coin. The bill that passed also will give American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands a quarter coin bearing a design symbolic of their districts.

DC Vote Wins Prestigious Golden Dot Award

Online Grassroots Effort Recognized

Monday, March 22, 2004

Washington, DC – On Friday, March 19, DC Vote received a Golden Dot Award for “Best Local Internet Campaign.” The award is given by the Institute for Politics, Democracy & the Internet of the George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management. Additional recipients in other categories include GOP.com, DraftWesleyClark.com, and DeanForAmerica.com.

Norton Replies to Administration Double Standard on Human Rights at Home in D.C.

Thursday, February 12, 2004

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released the following statement in response to comments made by Bush Administration officials on the denial of congressional voting rights to D.C. residents.

US State Department Responds to OAS Findings of Human Rights Violations in Nation's Capital

Fails to See Connection Between Denial of Democracy in US Capital City and Promoting Democracy in Baghdad

Thursday, February 12, 2004

Washington, DC - The US State Department has publicly responded to the legal findings-- released yesterday-- that the OAS' Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has declared the Congressional, non-voting status of 570,000 DC residents to be a human rights violation under international human rights law.

Norton Says OAS Finding of U.S. Violation of Human Rights Here Is Major Leverage for D.C. Voting Rights

Wednesday, February 11, 2004

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today said that the Congress, the Administration, and the United States will lose further international credibility if they ignore the finding of the respected Inter-American Commission on Human Rights that by denying congressional voting rights to D.C. residents, the United States is in violation of the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man. The United States is a member of the Organization of American States (OAS) of which the Commission on Human Rights is a part. The Commission took 11 years to consider and investigate the case brought by 23 D.C. residents.

United States Violates International Human Rights Law Against District Residents

DC Vote Urges Congressional Action in Response

Wednesday, February 11, 2004

Washington, DC – The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) of the Organization of American States (OAS) found the United States Government in violation of Articles II and XX of the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man because the U.S. denies voting representation in Congress for residents in Washington, DC. A report of their findings was released this afternoon.

The Congressional Record

VOTING RIGHTS FOR CITIZENS OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Wednesday, January 28, 2004

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) is recognized for 5 minutes.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, the denial of voting rights to people in the District of Columbia who pay their taxes every day and are fighting in Iraq, Afghanistan, and all around the world is finally sparking national attention, and even more important, it is sparking bills in the Congress. And bills not only from me and my side of the aisle, but I am pleased to note from my Republican friends. Several Members are considering or have already put in bills to give voting rights for the residents of the District of Columbia, and all of these are Republican bills and worth noting on this floor. On behalf of the people of the District of Columbia, I want to express my appreciation for these Members who have come forward with their own bills.

DC Vote Reminds President, Congress about Democracy at Home

Americans Living in Washington, DC Must Have True Democracy before the US Takes It Abroad

Thursday, January 22, 2004

Washington, DC - In his State of the Union address delivered on January 20, 2004, President Bush said, “And above all, we will finish the historic work of democracy in Afghanistan and Iraq….we understand our special calling: This great Republic will lead the cause of freedom.”

U.S. Representative Dana Rohrbacher (R-CA) Announces Intent to Introduce Bill

Legislation Would Treat DC Residents as Citizens of Maryland for Federal Voting Purposes

Thursday, January 15, 2004

Washington, DC - DC Vote applauds Representative Rohrbacher for his effort to end the disenfranchisement of Americans living in our nation’s capital, and looks forward to reviewing the details of his bill when they are made public. DC Vote wholeheartedly agrees with Rep. Rohrbacher that the time has come for the nation to address one of the last, great civil rights challenges of our generation by providing citizens of the District with full voting rights in Congress.. We also note that, should Representative Tom Davis introduce a DC voting rights bill this year as promised, there would be three pieces of legislation introduced in the 108th Congress by Republicans that address DC’s disenfranchisement (Representative Ralph Regula (R-OH) introduced H.R. 381 in 2003). With the presidency as well as majorities in the House and Senate, Republicans have an opportunity to take the lead role in ending DC's denial of democracy.

DC’s First-in-the-Nation Primary Election a Success

Media Attention and Public Interest in DC’s Plight Heightened by Early Primary Date

Tuesday, January 13, 2004

Washington, DC – Today, the first-in-the-nation presidential primary election was held in the nation’s capital as a means of highlighting the denial of equal voting rights to DC’s nearly 600,000 residents. Mayor Anthony Williams, the DC City Council, Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, and numerous other groups and individuals have supported the primary as an important educational tool for the voting rights issue.

      Print Friendly