[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 126, 112th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


Public Law 112-145
112th Congress

An Act


 
To amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to revise the timing of
special elections for local office in the District of
Columbia. <>

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, <>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``District of Columbia Special Election
Reform Act''.
SEC. 2. TIMING OF SPECIAL ELECTIONS FOR LOCAL OFFICE IN DISTRICT
OF COLUMBIA.

(a) Council.--
(1) Chair.--The first sentence of section 401(b)(3) of the
District of Columbia Home Rule Act (sec. 1-204.01(b)(3), D.C.
Official Code) is amended to read as follows: ``To fill a
vacancy in the Office of Chairman, the Board of Elections shall
hold a special election in the District on the Tuesday occurring
at least 70 days and not more than 174 days after the date on
which such vacancy occurs which the Board of Elections
determines, based on a totality of the circumstances, taking
into account, inter alia, cultural and religious holidays and
the administrability of the election, will provide the
opportunity for the greatest level of voter participation.''.
(2) Members elected from wards.--The first sentence of
section 401(d)(1) of such Act (sec. 1-204.01(d)(1), D.C.
Official Code) is amended to read as follows: ``In the event of
a vacancy in the Council of a member elected from a ward, the
Board of Elections shall hold a special election in the District
on the Tuesday occurring at least 70 days and not more than 174
days after the date on which such vacancy occurs which the Board
of Elections determines, based on a totality of the
circumstances, taking into account, inter alia, cultural and
religious holidays and the administrability of the election,
will provide the opportunity for the greatest level of voter
participation.''.
(3) Members elected at-large.--The second sentence of
section 401(d)(2) of such Act (sec. 1-204.01(d)(2)) is amended
by striking ``and such special election'' and all that follows
and inserting the following: ``and such special election shall
be held on the Tuesday occurring at least 70 days and not more
than 174 days after the date on which such vacancy occurs which
the Board of Elections determines, based on a totality of the
circumstances, taking into account, inter alia, cultural and
religious holidays and the administrability of the

[[Page 1134]]

election, will provide the opportunity for the greatest level of
voter participation.''.

(b) Mayor.--The first sentence of section 421(c)(2) of such Act
(sec. 1-204.21.(c)(2), D.C. Official Code) is amended to read as
follows: ``To fill a vacancy in the Office of Mayor, the Board of
Elections shall hold a special election in the District on the Tuesday
occurring at least 70 days and not more than 174 days after the date on
which such vacancy occurs which the Board of Elections determines, based
on a totality of the circumstances, taking into account, inter alia,
cultural and religious holidays and the administrability of the
election, will provide the opportunity for the greatest level of voter
participation.''.
(c) Attorney General.--The first sentence of section 435(b)(1) of
such Act (sec. 1-204.35(b)(1), D.C. Official Code) is amended by
striking ``the Board'' and all that follows and inserting the following:
``the Board of Elections shall hold a special election in the District
on the Tuesday occurring at least 70 days and not more than 174 days
after the date on which such vacancy occurs which the Board of Elections
determines, based on a totality of the circumstances, taking into
account, inter alia, cultural and religious holidays and the
administrability of the election, will provide the opportunity for the
greatest level of voter participation.''.
SEC. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.

The amendments made by section 2 shall apply with respect to
vacancies occurring on or after the enactment of this Act.

Approved July 18, 2012.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 3902:
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SENATE REPORTS: No. 112-186 (Comm. on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 158 (2012):
Feb. 29, considered and passed House.
July 12, considered and passed Senate.