Whereas, since its founding, the League of Women Voters of the United States has promoted and defended the rights of American citizens to vote; and

Whereas the League’s advocacy made a difference in passing the District of Columbia Home Rule Act of 1973 which gave D.C. citizens the right to vote for their local officials for the first time in 100 years; and

Whereas the support of Leaguers across the country was critical in securing Congressional approval in 1978 of the proposed Constitutional Amendment that would have given the people of D.C. the right to vote for members of Congress but was not adopted by enough states to pass; and

Whereas, in spite of the National League’s past efforts and current strong positions, the people of D.C. still do not have the right to vote for members of Congress and are subject to Congressional interference in their local government; and

Whereas legislation such as an admission act, which is now before Congress, would create the 51st state of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth out of the residential and commercial areas of D.C., while keeping the core of federal buildings, monuments, museums, and the mall in the smaller federal Capital. This would at last make it possible for the people of D.C. to have the right to vote for members of Congress and to be free of Congressional interference; and

Whereas this new state will become the 51st state of the United States of America when legislation is passed by both houses of Congress and signed by the President; and

Whereas statehood for the people of D.C. is consistent with the LWVUS position on D.C.-Self

Government and Full Voting Representation; and

Whereas passage of legislation that would provide statehood for the people of D.C. requires sustained advocacy during several Congresses; and

Whereas support for statehood for the people of D.C. has been gaining momentum during the last three Congresses and now has record numbers of cosponsors in both the House and the Senate; and

Whereas, mobilizing sufficient support to pass legislation that would provide statehood for the people of D.C. will require the advocacy of voters who do have Congressional representation; and

Whereas support by the League of Women Voters of California will make it possible to significantly increase Congressional support for statehood for the people of D.C.: 

Therefore, be it resolved that the League of Women Voters of California strongly supports legislation that will establish statehood for the people of the District of Columbia.

September 28, 2025

Lorrel Plimier, Interim President
League of Women Voters of California