The Washington D.C. Voting Rights Amendment, proposed by Congress in 1978, aimed to provide the District of Columbia with full representation in the U.S. Congress, including voting rights in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, as well as participation in the Electoral College. Currently, under the 23rd Amendment, Washington D.C. has limited congressional representation, despite having a population larger than that of Wyoming and Vermont.
The proposed amendment sought to repeal the 23rd Amendment and grant D.C. rights akin to those of a state, with two senators and representatives based on population size. This would have allowed D.C. residents equal participation in national elections, including presidential elections. It’s important to clarify that while the amendment aimed to enhance D.C.’s representation, it did not advocate for D.C. statehood, which has been a more recent issue.
Although the amendment passed Congress, it failed to secure ratification by the required three-fourths of state legislatures within the seven-year deadline, ultimately falling short in 1985.
[Last updated in July of 2024 by the Wex Definitions Team]