The Immigrant Voting Project
Immigrant Voting Rights
in Washington DC

The Equitable Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2004
Council of the District of Columbia Bill 15-977
Introduced July 13, 2004

Councilmember Graham
Councilmember Fenty
Councilmember Brazil

A BILL _________IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Councilmembers Graham, Fenty, and Brazil introduced the following bill, which was referred to the Committee on __________________________.

To amend the District of Columbia Election Code of 1955 to define "qualified elector" to include a permanent resident alien in the District of Columbia for the purposes of certain elections.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act may cited as the "Equitable Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2004".

Sec. 2. Section 2 of the District of Columbia Election Code of 1955, approved August 12, 1955 (69 Stat. 699; D.C. Official Code § 1-1001.01 et seq.), is amended by adding a new paragraph (2)(D) to read as follows: "(2)(D) A resident alien, defined as an immigrant lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States in accordance with section 101(a)(20) of the Immigration Nationality Act, approved June 27, 1952 (66 Stat. 166; 8 U.S.C. _1101(a)(20)), who otherwise qualifies under the other provisions paragraphs (2)(A), (B), and (C), shall be entitled to vote in local elections, which include elections for the Board of Education, Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, the Council, and the Mayor, and any voter initiative or referendum.".

Sec. 3. Rulemaking authority. The Mayor shall, within 180 days of the effective date of this act, promulgate rules in accordance with this act, such rules to include the proper design of a ballot and the conduct of an election whereby resident aliens shall vote for candidates in elections for the Board of Education, the Advisory Neighborhood Commission, the Council, and the Mayor, but not federal elections.

Sec. 3. Fiscal impact statement. The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal impact statement required by section 602(c)(3) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813 D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(3)).

Sec. 4. Effective date. This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), a 30-day period of Congressional review as provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)), and publication in the District of Columbia Register.

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