District of ColumbiaD.C. limits who may change petition signers' details
On D.C. election petitions, signers may request help before signing, and signature collectors must attest they did not change signer details afterward.
What it does
People collecting signatures for candidates, ballot measures, or recalls must swear they did not write, change, or hide a signer's details after that person signed.
On these petitions, only signers may write or change their details unless they ask someone for help before signing. No one may use correction tape or fluid.
Argument forLimits on changes after signing could help people trust that petition details reflect what signers provided.
Argument againstA ban on correction tape and fluid may make simple mistakes harder for signers and petition workers to fix.
More detail
People collecting signatures must state that they did not write, change, or hide signer details after the signer signed. This covers D.C. candidate, ballot measure, and recall petitions. They must make this statement in a petition affidavit, which is a sworn written statement.
Only signers may write or change their own details unless they ask someone else for help. This applies to D.C. candidate, ballot measure, and recall petitions. The signer must ask for help before signing. No one may use correction tape or fluid.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 3Law L26-0102, Effective from Mar 24, 2026 Published in DC Register Vol 73 and Page 005736Latest
- Feb 9Transmitted to CongressMinor
- Feb 6Act A26-0247 Published in DC Register Vol 73 and Page 001062
- Feb 2Returned from Mayor
- Jan 27Signed by the Mayor and Enacted with Act Number A26-0247Became Law
- Jan 20Transmitted to Mayor, Response Due on Feb 02, 2026To Governor
- Jan 6Final Reading, CCMinor
- Vote recorded Final Reading, CC. Result: pass.Legislature
- 2025
- Dec 16First Reading, CCMinor
- Vote recorded First Reading, CC. Result: pass.Legislature
- Nov 25Committee Mark-up of B26-0233 by the Executive Administration and Labor Committee
- Jun 13Public Hearing on B26-0233
- May 30Notice of Public Hearing Published in the District of Columbia Register
- May 27Notice of Public Hearing filed in the Office of Secretary by Executive Administration and LaborMinor
- May 9Notice of Intent to Act on B26-0233 Published in the District of Columbia Register
- May 6Referred to Committee on Executive Administration and LaborMinor
- Apr 28B26-0233 Introduced by Councilmember Bonds at Office of the SecretaryIntroduced
- Dec 16First Reading, CCMinor
Civil Rights & Voting