Pass the District of Columbia Special Elections Home Rule Act to give D.C. complete authority to set the dates of special elections for local offices.

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced the District of Columbia Special Elections Home Rule Act, which would give the District complete authority to set the date of special elections for local offices, as other jurisdictions already have.

Norton introduced legislation that would give D.C. full authority over scheduling special elections for local offices.

Norton Introduces Bill to Give D.C. Authority Over Dates of Special Elections for Local Offices | Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton
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Congress.gov lists Norton as sponsor, introduced 02/06/2012, and the latest action as becoming Public Law 112-145 on 07/18/2012.

Norton sponsored H.R.3902, and Congress.gov records that it passed the House and Senate and became law.

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H.R.3902 - District of Columbia Special Election Reform Act, 112th Congress
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The enacted law amended the D.C. Home Rule Act to revise special-election timing for local office vacancies.

Public Law 112-145 gave the D.C. Board of Elections authority to set special election dates within a 70-to-174-day window, considering holidays, administration, and voter participation.

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Public Law 112-145 - District of Columbia Special Election Reform Act
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The Senate report says H.R.3902 enabled the D.C. Board of Elections to schedule special elections for Council, Mayor, and Attorney General vacancies.

The report explains the policy purpose and confirms Norton introduced H.R.3902 after a similar 2010 Norton bill passed the House but stalled in the Senate.

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S. Rept. 112-186 - District of Columbia Special Election Reform Act
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Current D.C. Code reflects the amended rule for Council vacancies: the Board sets the Tuesday between 70 and 174 days after the vacancy.

The D.C. Code codifies the special-election timing authority created by Public Law 112-145 for Council vacancies, showing the reform took legal effect.

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D.C. Code § 1-204.01 - Creation and membership
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