Democracy and Governance Studies

Second-year DG student Jack Santucci joined Rob Richie of the organization FairVote in penning a Washington Times opinion editorial on DC voting laws.  In the November 10 article Santucci and Richie call on Congress and the city to reform voting laws to ensure traditionally underrepresented DC political voices are not denied access to at-large city council seats.  The authors explain, "If D.C. voters had used choice voting on Nov. 4, Mrs. [Carol] Schwartz or Mr. [Patrick] Mara likely would have won a seat. Republican, Green and independent voters moreover would not have faced a zero-sum battle for it. One-party rule would not have been the outcome. Well intentioned as it was, the limited nomination rule could not prevent that. It's time for Congress and the city alike to consider a more effective system."  Read the full article.