District of Columbia Board of Elections

The Board of Elections held a special meeting to deliberate on multiple petition challenges for candidates seeking access to the primary election ballot. Key discussion topics included reviews of signature validity, the impact of extreme weather conditions on signature gathering, arguments regarding the inclusion of inactive voters, and party affiliation requirements. The Board upheld challenges against Kathy Henderson for Mayor of the District of Columbia, resulting in the denial of ballot access, while validating the petition for the Democrats United to Free D.C. slate for Ward 8 Committeeman and Committeewoman.

The Board discussed three candidate appeals regarding ballot name placement and petition eligibility. For two candidates, the Board granted appeals to use modified names on the ballot after reviewing documentation and testimony confirming the names were commonly used in professional and private settings. For the third candidate, the Board denied the appeal for ballot access due to insufficient valid signatures and circulator defects, while providing an opportunity for the candidate to cure the defects by the end of the day.

Key discussions during the meeting included the adoption of the current agenda and the certification of a vacancy in the Council's at-large member office, leading to a call for a special election. The General Counsel presented two emergency and proposed rulemakings for publication, which the Board approved for immediate effectiveness as emergency rules. The Board determined that the "Prohibiting Force Feeding of Birds Act of 2026" presented a proper subject for initiative. Following a closed session, the Board determined that the "DC Housing Modernization and Accessibility Act of 2026" did not present a proper subject matter for a voter initiative. Furthermore, the Board unanimously approved the referral of an enforcement proceeding concerning Britnee Scott to the D.C. Office of the Attorney General for criminal investigation. The General Counsel also provided an update on seven pending litigation matters, including updates on cases involving non-citizen voting legislation, Initiative Measure No. 83 challenges, and various other legal actions.

The agenda for the Regular Board Meeting includes establishing a quorum, adoption of the agenda, and approval of minutes from the prior February meeting. Key discussion points involve reports from the Executive Director and General Counsel. The General Counsel's report encompasses the adoption of formulations, specifically Initiative Measure No. 86, the Prohibiting the Force-Feeding of Birds Act of 2026, and proper subject hearings for proposed acts concerning housing modernization and living wage. Furthermore, there is a rulemaking initiative to amend various chapters of the DC Municipal Regulations to implement provisions of the Ranked Choice Voting and Open the Primary Elections to Independent Voters Act of 2024 and the Petition Administration Clarification Emergency Amendment Act of 2026. The agenda also lists several enforcement hearings and updates on ongoing litigation matters. The meeting concludes with a Campaign Finance Report review and a public comment session.

The Board meeting included the adoption of the agenda and approval of previous minutes. Key actions involved approving an updated Delegation of Authority, which clarifies responsibilities between the Board and agency officers, replacing a delegation from 2011. The Board also addressed the Proper Subject Matter Determination Hearing for the proposed Initiative Measure, "The DC Equal Homeownership Act," concluding that it did not propose a law and rejecting the measure based on the General Counsel's recommendation. Furthermore, the Board held an enforcement hearing concerning Margo Falls, who unintentionally voted another voter's mail ballot in the 2024 general election, imposing a $100 civil fine. Litigation updates included the status of cases challenging noncitizen voting rights, the Board's subject determination for Initiative Measure No. 83, a claim regarding election worker compensation, an Americans with Disabilities Act claim related to petition circulation, and a Department of Justice action seeking the Board's full voter file. The Office of Campaign Finance report for January 2026 was presented, along with the General Counsel's report detailing referrals, informal hearings, and imposed fines totaling $5,300.