Frequently Asked Questions about District Voting Rights and the Foundry Democracy Project

  E d u c a t i n g t h e P u b l i c

Part of our mission is to educate the communities of faith and the public at large. We are happy to answer any questions about the work of the Democracy Project and the issue of District Voting Rights.

Please write to us at foundrydemocracy@earthlink.net if you have any questions. We will respond as quickly as possible.

  F A Q s

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Why was the Foundry Democracy Project started?

A: Few US citizens outside the beltway know that district residents have no federal representation in Congress. Although DC residents pay federal taxes, and are subject to the draft, they have no Representative or Senators to fight for their interests in Congress.

The Project believes this is an egregious moral wrong which must be addressed by all members of the community of faith. The Project seeks to educate officials of the federal government and citizens at large about the need to provide democratic rights to the residents of the District.

Q: How come DC residents do not have a vote in Congress?

A: DC is not part of a state and therefore, the residents and city itself have no one to intercede between the city and federal government.

Q: Does DC have any representation in Congress?

A: DC residents have one Delegate, Eleanor Holmes-Norton, in the House of Representatives. However, she is unable to vote on the floor and is given power equivalent to the Delegate who represents Puerto Rico. During the impeachment proceedings, not only was she not allowed to vote on impeaching the President whom her constituents had helped elect to office, but she was not even allowed to speak to it.

Q: Why should Methodists care?

A: The Social Principles in the United Methodist Book of Discipline state, "The form and leaders of all governments should be determined by exercise of the right to vote guaranteed to all adult citizens." It is a moral injustice that citizens of the capital of the greatest democracy in the world are denied that very democracy.

Q: What can non-DC residents do about it?

A: Get the message out in your community and your church&emdash;many individuals are unaware that DC residents have no federal representation. For example, you can:

• make a brief statement at the beginning of the church service
• have your administrative board adopt resolutions similar to the Annual Conference's
• circulate a petition (available from the Democracy Project or DCVote)
• write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper
• put a bumper sticker on your car (available from the Democracy Project or DCVote)
• contact other churches in your conference
• contact the Project for more information

It is also important to contact your Members of Congress on this issue. As previously stated, Congress has an enormous influence in the daily lives of DC residents. However, the only voices Members respond to are the voices of their constituents. In addition, there is a good possibility that it will be up to Congress to decide how to rectify the current situation.

Q: How can this situation be rectified?

A: There have been many suggestions on how to give DC residents federal representation. The Foundry Democracy Project does not endorse a specific course of action. Some of the possible solutions are outlined here.

Q: How can I find out more information about this?

A: You can contact Seth Chase, Chair of the Foundry Democracy Project at (202) 302-2684 or by e-mail at foundrydemocracy@earthlink.net.