Election Petition Penalty Amendment Act of 2001
Bill 14-53

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A BILL IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Chairman Linda W. Cropp, at the request of the Mayor, introduced the following bill, which was referred to the Committee on Government Operations.

To amend An Act to regulate the election of delegates representing the District of Columbia to national political conventions, and for other purposes, approved August 12, 1955 (69 Stat. 699; D.C. Code §1-1301 et seq.) as amended, to clarify the penalties for violation of the act.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act may be cited as the "Election Petition Penalty Amendment Act of 2001 ".

Sec. 2. Sec. 8 (3) (D.C. Code §1-1312 (b) (3)) of An Act to regulate the election of delegates representing the District of Columbia to national political conventions, and for other purposes, approved August 12, 1955 (69 Stat. 699; D.C. Code §1312 (b) (3)) as amended, is amended to read as follows:

"(3)(A) All signatures on a petition shall be made by the person whose signature it purports to be and not by any other person. Each circulator shall swear or affirm upon oath that he or she is a registered voter and has done the following:

"(i) Personally circulated the petition;

"(ii) Personally witnessed the signing of each signature on the petition; and

"(iii) Determined from each signer that he or she is a registered voter, in the same party as the candidate and, where applicable, that the signer is registered in and a resident of the ward from which the candidate seeks election.

"(B) Any circulator who willfully violates any provisions of paragraphs (1) through (18) of this section, or any regulations promulgated pursuant thereto, shall upon conviction thereof, be subject to a fine of not more than $10,000, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. Each occurrence of a violation of paragraphs (1) through (18) of this section shall constitute a separate offense. Violation of paragraphs (1) through (18) of this section shall be prosecuted in the name of the District of Columbia by the Corporation Counsel of the District of Columbia.".

Sec. 3. 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. Code §1-233(c)(3)).

Sec. 4. This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), approval by the Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority as provided in section 203 (a) of the District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Act of 1995, approved April 17, 1995 (109 Stat. 116; D.C. Code §47-392.3 (a)), a 30 day period of Congressional review as provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Code §1-233(c)(1)), and publication in the District of Columbia Register.