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. |