THE DISTRICT

Voting Rights Apathy in Upper Northwest?

WITH D.C. VOTING RIGHTS LEGISLATION moving its way through Capitol Hill, the District is inching closer to securing a full vote in the House of Representatives. As The Post's Mary Beth Sheridan reports this morning, the legislation was reintroduced in the House yesterday by its two co-sponsors, Democratic D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton and Republican Virginia Rep. Tom Davis. The House majority leader, Maryland's Steny Hoyer, described the case for a D.C. vote in the House as "crystal clear and compelling." There is, however, no current indication on how fast such legislation could get passed.

But if you live in Ward 3 — the area of the District north of Georgetown and west of Rock Creek Park where the city's most affluent residents are concentrated — does it really matter? During yesterday's washingtonpost.com Live Online chat with WTOP political commentator Mark Plotkin, the ardent voting rights advocate said residents of Upper Northwest don't share the voting rights fervor present in other parts of the city. Says Plotkin:

Ward 3, more than anything, just wants good city services. I just wish they cared more about this issue. It doesn't seem to bother them, that we are second-class citizens.
Photo by Nikki Kahn/The Washington PostPlotkin gave Ward 3's new D.C. Council member, Mary Cheh, a mixed assessment on her voting-rights advocacy.

Although Plotkin says that Cheh "should be applauded for her remarks" on voting rights during last week's inaugural ceremonies, the new member made an error in judgment by having Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg swear her in (pictured here with Cheh at left, Ginsburg at the podium). Ginsburg, as Plotkin points out, voted against the District's interests in Alexander v. Daley, where the city pushed for full voting representation.

» "Bill to Give D.C. a Full Vote Is Revived" [WaPo]
» "D.C., Maryland and Virginia Politics" [Live Online/WaPo]

Photo by Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post

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