Bipartisan Support for Congressional Representation for D.C.

DC VRA Passes House Committee on Government Reform 29-4

The DC Fair and Equal House Voting Rights Act of 2006 (H.R. 5388), sponsered by Republicans Tom Davis and Christopher Shays and Democrats Eleanor Holmes Norton and Henry Waxman, highlights the potential of broader statutory reforms like proportional voting. By increasing House size to 437 members, it would give Utah an additional seat that would be elected statewide in 2008 and 2010 by exempting Utah from the 1967 law mandating one-seat House districts. The bill would also increase the size of the Electoral College to 539 electors, greatly reducing the chance of a tie.

On May 18th, H.R. 5388 passed the House Committee on Government Reform by a vote of 29-4. It now moves to the House Judiciary Committee.

[ More about the DC VRA ]
[ More about DC Voting Rights ]
[ The case for a constitutional right to vote ]
[ More about changes to House size ]
[ Jack Kemp Op-Ed in Townhall.com ]

FairVote Stands With Movement for Voting Rights Act Reauthorization

Expiring Provisions Provide Voting Foundation for Racial, Ethnic, & Language Minorities

FairVote joins the growing chorus of groups calling for reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act. Key provisions are set to expire in 2007, including those relating to preclearance of election changes in places with a history of discrimination in voting, as well as language assistance for limited-english speakers. For years, the Voting Rights Act has provided a foundation from which to build the movement for fair representation, and for years FairVote has highlighted the opportunities the landmark bill has created for communities of color.

As a member of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, the nation's oldest and largest civil rights coalition, FairVote now joins 95 other groups in calling for a thoughtful and prompt renewal of the legislation.

[Download LCCR Letter of Support - .pdf 103 KB]
[More on the Voting Rights Act]

New Orleans to Hold First Post-Katrina Elections

FairVote Highlights Potential Pitfalls and Consequences

With New Orleans' first municipal elections underway since Hurricane Katrina hit, policymakers and pundits around the nation are monitoring the elections to gauge the impact of the massive population displacement on representation. Despite the best efforts of election officials to mitigate problems, several key obstacles remain.

First, New Orleans uses a two-round runoff system that may create potential spoiler problems that could undermine majority rule, while absentee voters may be disenfranchised by the short period between the first and second round election. Second, since New Orleans elects five of its city councilmembers through single-member districts, uneven populations between districts may create massive one-person, one-vote issues.

FairVote has issued a press advisory to steer those covering the elections toward key questions, while providing potential solutions and a forthcoming analysis of the election results.

[FairVote's New Orleans 4/06 Press Advisory]  New!
[Analysis of April 2006 Absentee Ballot Requests]  New!
[Addressing Louisiana's Post-Katrina Electoral Problems]
[FairVote's Washington Post Op-Ed on Post-Katrina Elections]