5834179 Resolution 21-359, Presidential Primary Ballot Access Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2016

A RESOLUTION

                                                        

21-359

 

IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

 

January 5, 2016        

 

           

To declare the existence of an emergency with respect to the need to change the procedures for presidential candidates to be placed on the primary election ballot.

 

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “Presidential Primary Ballot Access Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2016”.

 

Sec. 2. (a) The rules for qualifying a political party member to be listed on the ballot as a candidate for nomination for United States President in the District of Columbia’s presidential primary election are, or may be, inconsistent with the rules of political parties for such listing.

(b) District of Columbia law should allow each political party to determine its own rules for ballot access as long as the rules are otherwise consistent and fair.

(c) The next primary election will take place on June 14, 2016. Under current law, candidates must submit their petitions to the District of Columbia Board of Elections by March 16, 2016, to be listed on the ballot.

(d) Changes to the petition process must therefore occur before the March 16 deadline to allow for candidates, political parties, and the District of Columbia Board of Elections to plan accordingly.

(e) The Council passed similar amendments to the law concerning petitions for the 2004, 2008, and 2012 presidential primary elections.

 

Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia determines that the circumstances enumerated in section 2 constitute emergency circumstances making it necessary that the Presidential Primary Ballot Access Emergency Amendment Act of 2016 be adopted after a single reading.

 

Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.