H.R. 3902: District of Columbia Special Election Reform Act

112th Congress · introduced 2012-02-06 · Government Operations and Politics · Latest: Became Public Law No: 112-145.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2012-02-06 · official record
Who proposed it: Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Became Public Law No: 112-145. (final step reached)
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

District of Columbia Special Election Reform Act

Plain summary

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on February 29, 2012. The summary of that version is repeated here.) District of Columbia Special Election Reform Act - Amends the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to require the Board of Elections and Ethics, in filling the following vacancies, to hold a special election in the District on the first Tuesday occurring between 70 and 174 days (currently, the first Tuesday occurring more than 114 days) after the vacancy occurs which the Board 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 greatest level of voter participation. Eliminates the specific alternative of a special election on the same day as the next general election (without eliminating the option of a special election on the same day as the next general election). Applies this revised special election requirement to: (1) the Office of the Chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia, (2) a Council member elected from a ward or elected at large, (3) the Office of the Mayor of the District, and (4) the Office of the Attorney General of the District.

Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

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What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

District of Columbia Special Election Reform Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law)

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large] · 0 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Sponsor's campaign money: Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large] reported raising $53,775 (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (1)

Rulemaking: The process agencies use to write regulations that carry out laws passed by Congress or a legislature. Usually an agency publishes a proposed rule, takes public comments, then publishes a final rule.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-112hr3902.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/112/hr>

Record fed-us-cong112-hr3902 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong112 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong112