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We believe that residents of the District of Columbia should have voting rights in the US Senate and House of Representatives equal to that of all other Americans.
Our plan calls for Congress to immediately restore the right of DC residents to vote as if we were Marylanders for the sole purpose of federal representation in Congress.
History supports our approach. When the country was formed in 1787, what is now the District of Columbia was a part of the state of Maryland. In 1791, Washington was ceded to the federal government for the purpose of becoming the nationís capital city. District residents continued to vote in Marylandís federal elections and even run for and win Maryland congressional elections. In 1801, Congress passed a bill that eliminated the right of DC residents to vote in Marylandís elections. Since Congress took away by statute our right to be represented in Congress by Marylandís federal legislators, Congress can similarly restore that right by statute. To that end, the Committee for the Capital City has worked closely with Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) to reestablish this right. He has introduced a bill in Congress (HR 665 - The District of Columbia Voting Rights Restoration Act of 2009) that would restore the DC federal voting rights that Congress took away in 1801. Under this approach, DC residents would be represented in the US Senate by Marylandís two Senators and be represented by a congressperson whose district would be essentially similar to the current DC district but apportioned as part of the Maryland delegation. DC Home RuleIn addition to supporting voting rights in Congress for DC residents equal to that of all other Americans, the Committee for the Capital City also recognizes that DC residents need to have home rule so that the laws that they must live under are the responsibility of locally elected officials. The best way to accomplish this goal is to reestablish the city of Washington as a unique, home-rule city in the State of Maryland. This proposal maintains the unique character of Washington as the city that is home to the national government. Washington would continue with its present boundaries and elected officials.
With the renewed status of being a part of the State of Maryland instead of a federal enclave under the exclusive legislative control of Congress, the citizens of Washington would gain by our calculation four new representatives in the Maryland State Senate and eight new members in the Maryland House of Delegates. Washington voters would also gain the representation of the Maryland Governor and other statewide officials. As a part of Maryland, DC residents could expect lower state income tax rates and a more efficient local government that would have the potential to deliver better local services though a combination of economies of scale and additional government resources to draw upon.
The State of Maryland would similarly benefit under our plan by gaining an additional Congressional District and the pride and prestige of becoming the home State in the eyes of the world to the capital city of the United States of America. With the city of Washington becoming the twenty-fifth local jurisdiction in Maryland, Maryland gains 580,000 new residents who would by their addition make Maryland richer, more highly educated, and more Democratic.
Political SupportOur plan can gain the support of DC residents, the State of Maryland, and Congress. DC residents gain home rule and voting representation in Congress equal to that of all other Americans. Maryland expands back to its original size and gains the most important city in the world. Congress frees itself from the task of overseeing a local city and solves an international embarrassment as it campaigns to promote democracy worldwide.Join Us
The issue is political empowerment and full citizenship for the people of Washington. If you agree that Maryland-based solutions make sense, join with us in making it a reality. The Committee for the Capital City is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization and that contributions are tax-deductible.
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