What is it?

Admission of the residential portion of the District as the 51st state of the Union.

Treating the District as though it were a state for purposes of representation, without granting statehood and admission to the Union as a state

How is it accomplished?

Would require Congressional action. A statehood petition would have to be approved by the Congress as it is for any territory or possession that seeks admission to the Union.

Requires Congressional action--possibly a Constitutional amendment. However, as Professor Raven-Hansen of George Washington University Law School argues, just as the Congress treats the District as a state for the purposes of hundreds of pieces of simple legislation, it could enfranchise the District by simple legislation.

What are the pros?

Provides full voting representation. The District would be represented by two senators and, depending on population, at least one representative. Statehood would also provide the greatest degree of home rule autonomy for the District, effectively ending federal control over the residential and business portions of the city. Preserves the District as a separate and distinct entity.

Provides full voting representation. Preserves the District as a separate and distinct entity.

What are the cons?

While not eliminating a federal seat (Congress would still retain control over the National Mall, the White House, and Capitol grounds) it would drastically reduce it. To the extent that the Congress has any legitimate interest in governing its capital city, that interest would be disrupted.

Since the 23rd Amendment to the Constitution prohibits the District from having more electoral votes than the least populous state, it is possible that such a solution might limit the number of representatives apportioned to the District. Does not provide the same degree of home rule autonomy as statehood or even retrocession.

What is it?

Cession of the residential portions of the city (everything but the Mall, White House, and Capitol grounds) back to the State of Maryland as a new county in that state.

For purposes of voting for representatives in the Congress, the District is treated as though it were a part of Maryland, without actually being retroceded to that state. Maryland's apportionment for representation in the Congress would include the District's population, who would, in turn, be able to vote for Senators and representatives from Maryland.

How is it accomplished?

Would require action by Congress, action by the District City Council, and the Maryland legislature.

Could be accomplished by Federal legislation. Perhaps by action of the President via the Commerce Department, whose job it is to report census data and determine apportionments.

What are the pros?

Provides full voting representation through Maryland's federal delegation. The District's inclusion in Maryland would likely increase Maryland's delegation by one. If accorded status as a home rule city in Maryland could provide a great deal of local autonomy for the city.

Provides full voting representation through Maryland's federal delegation. Preserves the District as a separate and distinct entity.

What are the cons?

The merger of the political and legal structures would require great effort and might be to the detriment of the District's existing law and governance. Retrocession has the same impact on the Federal interest in the city that statehood does.

Does not provide the same degree of home rule autonomy as statehood or retrocession.