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District of Columbia Election Code Amendment Act of 2002
Bill 14-516

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Councilmember Vincent Orange, Sr.

A BILL IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 

Councilmember Vincent B Orange, Sr., introduced the following bill, which was referred to the Committee on Government Operations.

To amend the District of Columbia Election Code of 1955 to eliminate the nominating petition requirement in the case of certain primary election candidates who are endorsed by the executive committees of political parties in accordance with the endorsement procedures established by the parties.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF TUE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA4. That this act

may be cited as the "District of Columbia Election Code Amendment Act of 2002".

Sec. 2. Endorsement-De1egate, Mayor, Chairman of the Council, At-Large Member of

the Council, Shadow Representative and Shadow Senator.

Subsection (i) of Section 8 of the District of Columbia Election Code of 1955, approved August 12,1955 as amended October 24, 200l (69 Stat. 701; D.C. Official Code l-l001.08(i)(1)) is amended:

(a) By adding the phrase: "Except as provided in paragraph 1-1 001.08(i)(1)(C)," at the beginning of paragraph (1); and

(b) By adding a new paragraph (C) to section 1-1001.08(i)(1) to read as follows:

"(C)(i) The nominating petition requirements set forth in paragraphs (A) and (B) of this subsection shall not apply in the case of primary election candidates for the office of Delegate, Mayor, Chairman of the Council, and at-large members of the Council who are officially endorsed 120 days before the date of such primary election by the duly authorized executive committee of the political party whose nomination the candidate seeks in such primary election. Nominating petition requirements also shall not apply in the case of primary election candidates for the office of Shadow Representative and Shadow Senator who are officially endorsed by political parties pursuant to this paragraph.

(ii) The official endorsement of a primary election candidate for the office of Delegate, Mayor, Chairman of the Council, at-large member of the Council, Shadow Representative, and Shadow Senator by the executive committee of a political party shall be carried out in accordance with procedures established in the by-laws of the executive committee. Nothing in such by-laws shall prohibit any qualified candidate from participating in the process of seeking the endorsement of the executive committee of a political party.

(iii) Whenever the executive committee of a political party officially endorses a primary election candidate for the office of Delegate, Mayor, Chairman of the Council, at-large member of the Council, Shadow Representative, or Shadow Senator, the executive committee shall file a report of such official endorsement with the Board not later than 120 days before the date of such primary election. Any endorsement which is not filed with the Board as of the 120th day before the date of such primary election shall not be considered an official endorsement for the purposes of this paragraph.

Sec. 3. Endorsement--Other Members of Council Subsection (i) of Section 8 of the District of Columbia Election Code of l955, approved August 12, 1955 as last amended October 2, 2001(69 Stat. 701; D.C Official Code l-1O01.08(i)(2))

is amended:

(a) By adding the phrase: '(A) Except as provided in paragraph l-100l.08(i)(2)(B)," at the beginning of paragraph (2); and

(b) By adding a new paragraph (B) to section 1E100l.08(i)(2) to read as follows:

"(B)(i) The nominating petition requirements set forth in paragraph (A) of this subsection shall not apply in the case of primary election candidates for the office of member of the Council (other than Chairman and at-large members) who are officially endorsed 120 days before the date of such primary election by the duly authorized executive committee of the political party whose nomination the candidate seeks in such primary election.

(ii) The official endorsement of a primary election candidate for the office of member of the Council (other than Chairman and at-large members) by the executive committee of a political party shall be carried out in accordance with procedures established in the by-laws of the executive committee. Nothing in such by-laws shall prohibit any qualified candidate from participating in the process of seeking the endorsement of the executive committee of a political party.

(iii) whenever the executive committee of a political party officially endorses a primary election candidate for the office of member of the Council (other than Chairman and at-large members), the executive committee shall file a report of such official endorsement with the Board not later than 120 days before the date of such primary election. Any endorsement which is not filed with the Board as of the 120th day before the date of such primary election shall not be considered an official endorsement for the purposes of this paragraph."

Sec. 4. Fiscal Impact Statement.

The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal impact statement required by section 602(c)(3) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code section 1-206.2(c)(3)).

Sec. 8. Effective Date.

This act shall take effect upon its approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), a 30-day period of Congressional review as provided in section 602(c)(l) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code section l-206.2(c)(l)), and publication in the District of Columbia Register.

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