Statehood legislation has stalled in the Senate, but other efforts in the local legislatures have otherwise widely expanded voting rights across the D.C. region.
When in the closing days of 2006 we looked back on the year in D.C. voting rights, we optimistically hoped that 2007 would finally be the year that saw some movement on enfranchising the District’s residents. Movement, yes; resolution, not so much. So as we wind down 2007, we’re again left hoping that maybe the coming year will be the one. The primary mover in the D.C. voting rights movement in 2007 was legislation…
Breaking just now: The DC Voting Rights Act (now H.R. 1905) is scheduled to return to the House Floor tomorrow, Thursday for a vote. The move comes after a week of speculation that Majority Leader Steny Hoyer had removed the bill from this week’s schedule for unclear reasons. Today it is now definite: the bill will come to a vote tomorrow. The bill originally stalled on the House Floor last month after three Republican…
It’s easy to dismiss yesterday’s Voting Rights March. Skeptics can point to the estimated number of participants (anywhere from 2,000 to 6,000, depending on who you ask) and claim that in a city of almost 600,000, that’s not very good turnout. They can point to the cause — a voting seat in the House of Representatives — and argue that the tough road it faces in the Senate and the veto it will likely receive…
The Voting Rights March and Rally in front of the Capitol Reflecting Pool today was by all accounts a big success despite chilly winds and rain. We estimate between 4,000 – 5,000 supporters came out to demand a full vote for D.C. in the House of Representatives. Many more showed up too late for the rally, which was originally scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. but was shortened and started early due to the…
Good morning, Washington. Today is the day of the Voting Rights March. If you can, gather at Freedom Plaza at 2:30 p.m. to march to the capitol with your friends from DCist and other Washingtonians. Or, just meet us for the rally planned at 4 p.m. at the Capitol Reflecting Pool. Either way, we hope you make it out for at least one hour to show your support for District voting rights. Don’t let this…
We mentioned before that some Republicans in Congress were trying to prevent the free Live Earth concert from happening on the Mall. Turns out they were successful: it’s going to be at Giants Stadium in New York New Jersey instead. With a reunion of The Police. Thanks guys. We don’t need a vote in Congress or a free concert. You’re really looking out for us. Republicans James Inhofe and Mitch McConnell led the charge against…
As we mentioned yesterday, next Monday, April 16 is the long-awaited Voting Rights March. Activists, residents and supporters will take an afternoon to demand that Congress finally do something to remedy the 200-year-old disenfranchisement of the District’s residents. We’d like to see as many people out there as possible, but we recognize that it’s hard to take an entire afternoon off, regardless of how good the cause is. Fear not, though — you may only…
It was almost three weeks ago that Republicans helped derail legislation that would finally grant the District a voting seat in the House of Representatives. The Democratic leadership has promised to bring the legislation back to the floor next week, but even if it passes, it faces an uphill battle in the Senate and an almost assured veto from President Bush. Short of giving up and moving en masse to Virginia and Maryland, what can…
Anyone who uses email is used to getting spam, and lots of it. But from Mayor Adrian Fenty? Now that’s something different. Last Friday thousands of District residents were treated to an email from the mayor’s office, a new monthly e-newsletter called the “Fentyfile” that highlighted information and initiatives ranging from the 2008 budget to the April 16 Voting Rights March. Of course, I, just like many other thousands of District residents, don’t remember signing…