Fifty years ago, D.C. residents gained the right to elect their own local government. It was the first time in generations that Washingtonians would head to the polls to vote for mayor and local councilmembers. The lead-up to the passage of the 1973 Home Rule Act was a long, drawn-out fight for self-determination, championed by civil rights leaders including Martin Luther King, Jr. But in the end, the home rule legislation was a compromise and came with many strings attached.

We’re digging into D.C. home rule history, looking at how the District’s limited self-governance has continued to impact residents, and checking in with the statehood movement about what’s next for local voting rights. See everything in the series here, and listen on WAMU.org. Want to join the conversation? Call in or email during our special episode of The Politics Hour on Friday, Feb. 2.