List of District of Columbia ballot measures
The District of Columbia (a political division coterminous with Washington, D.C.) has had a system of direct voting since 1979, shortly after it gained home rule in 1973. Residents have the ability to place new legislation, or legislation recently passed by the city council, on the ballot for a popular vote. The district has three types of ballot measures that can be voted on in a general election: District Charter amendments, initiatives and referendums. In order to be placed on the ballot, supporters of a measure must gather signatures from registered voters.[1]
Since adopting this process, ballot measures have become a common part of the city's electoral system. As of 2022, more than 150 different initiatives had been filed with the district, along with a significantly smaller number of referendums; of those, only 29 have met the required qualifications to be placed on the ballot.[2][3] Ballot measures have been used to legalize politically contentious policies such as local term limits, abolition of the tipped minimum wage,[4] cannabis use,[5] and advancements in the District of Columbia statehood movement.[6]
Types of ballot measures[edit]
District Charter amendments[edit]
District Charter amendments are changes to the District of Columbia Home Rule Charter, the law that established the D.C. government and its authority.[12] They require a majority vote to pass the D.C. Council, a majority of voters to approve the amendment, and then are submitted to Congress for a 35-business day congressional review period. If Congress does not pass a resolution of disapproval, the amendment is adopted.[13]