H.R.2562 - District of Columbia One Vote One Choice Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.2562, the "District of Columbia One Vote One Choice Act," seeks to amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to prohibit the use of ranked-choice voting (RCV) in District of Columbia elections. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on April 1, 2025, and referred to the Committee on House Administration. The bill aims to ensure that voters in D.C. elections cast only one vote for their preferred candidate.
Expected Effects
If enacted, H.R.2562 would prevent the District of Columbia from implementing or using ranked-choice voting in any election, including those for federal office and ballot initiatives. This would maintain the current system where voters select only one candidate per race. The practical effect is to limit the options available to D.C. voters regarding election methods.
Potential Benefits
- Simplicity: The bill promotes a simpler voting method that may be easier for some voters to understand.
- Reduced Confusion: By eliminating ranked-choice voting, the bill aims to reduce potential confusion among voters.
- Maintains Existing System: It preserves the current voting system in D.C., avoiding the need for voter education and system changes.
- One Vote One Choice: Reinforces the concept of a single, direct choice for each candidate.
Potential Disadvantages
- Limits Voter Choice: The bill restricts the ability of D.C. voters to express nuanced preferences through ranked choices.
- Potential for Wasted Votes: Without RCV, votes for less popular candidates may be considered wasted, reducing voter efficacy.
- Reduced Representation: Ranked-choice voting is sometimes seen as a way to increase representation of diverse candidates and viewpoints, which this bill would prevent.
- Undermines Local Control: The bill interferes with the District of Columbia's ability to decide its own election methods.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutionality is debatable. Congress has broad authority over the District of Columbia under Article I, Section 8, Clause 17 of the Constitution, which grants Congress the power to exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever over the District. However, some may argue that this infringes upon the voting rights of D.C. residents, though D.C. does not have full representation in Congress.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).