The year 2000 marks the bicentennial of Washington DC—the capital of the world’s oldest democracy—and its citizens continue to be denied political rights that other Americans take for granted. Washingtonians are taxed as if they were living in one of the 50 states. Federal laws apply to citizens living in the District as if they lived in any state. Washingtonians can be drafted into the armed services and even die for their country. Each state is self-governing under the Constitution, but the District of Columbia is not. Congress governs DC.

Justice Hugo Black pointed out in 1964 that "no right is more precious in a free country than that of having a choice in the election of those who makes the laws under which...we must live. Other rights, even the most basic, are illusory if the right to vote is undermined."

The first colony—Virginia—waged war for seven years (along with her sister colonies) to end taxation without representation and gain its right to self-governance. What must the last colony do?

Since 1961 the Constitution provides DC residents with one political right—to vote for president and vice president. With the adoption of the 23rd Amendment, they gained the same right as any other American.

Since 1968 Congress has permitted citizens to elect school board members.

Since 1973 it has permitted residents to vote for city councilmembers and a mayor.

Since 1971 Congress has permitted citizens in the District to elect a non-voting delegate to the House of Representatives. (There is no representation whatsoever in the Senate.)

However, citizens living in the District only have these voting privileges that Congress may grant—and withdraw—as it sees fit.