Options for DC Voting Rights

A number of practical options exist to rectify the situation, and many have been attempted over the years without success. Some feel the issue is a simple matter of legislation -- that Congress possesses "exclusive legislation in all cases" over the District, and thus can grant voting rights. Others feel an amendment to the Constitution is necessary. An entire political party has grown up around a movement to make DC the 51st state. And some argue the simplest solution is to retrocede DC to Maryland, as Arlington was retroceded to Virginia in 1846.

Which of these options best meets this historical need? Read more about each by clicking on the sidebar. >>

Creative approaches have been tried too. A number of citizens have sued the federal government for taxation without representation as citizens of the District. None of these cases have succeeded, though according to the Supreme Court, "no right is more precious in a free country than that of having a voice in the election of those who make the laws under which, as good citizens, we must live."

Unfortunately, the complexity of the issue stretches beyond suffrage for DC citizens. Concerns clouding DC rights include the political-economic ramifications of a city shackled to the federal government, management of the National Capital Service Area, and what some say amounts to racism -- the reluctance of a political party system to grant the self-titled "Chocolate City" equal rights.

All of these issues, however, are immaterial to the fact: 580,000 citizens of the United States are denied representation in Congress. They pay taxes, they serve the nation in wartime, and they are subject to the law -- but none have a vote in the legislation of America. With that in mind, resolving DC voting rights should be the mandate of the new millennium.