District of Columbia Special Election Reform Act
PL 112-145 (H.R.3902), enacted 07/18/2012

126 STAT. 1133 
PUBLIC LAW 112–145—JULY 18, 2012 
Public Law 112–145 
112th Congress 
An Act 
To amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to revise the timing of special 
elections for local office in the District of Columbia. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘District of Columbia Special 
Election Reform Act’’. 
SEC. 2. TIMING OF SPECIAL ELECTIONS FOR LOCAL OFFICE IN DIS-
TRICT OF COLUMBIA. 
(a) COUNCIL.— 
(1) CHAIR.—The first sentence of section 401(b)(3) of the 
District of Columbia Home Rule Act (sec. 1–204.01(b)(3), D.C. 
Official Code) is amended to read as follows: ‘‘To fill a vacancy 
in the Office of Chairman, the Board of Elections shall hold 
a special election in the District on the Tuesday occurring 
at least 70 days and not more than 174 days after the date 
on which such vacancy occurs which the Board of Elections 
determines, based on a totality of the circumstances, taking 
into account, inter alia, cultural and religious holidays and 
the administrability of the election, will provide the opportunity 
for the greatest level of voter participation.’’. 
(2) MEMBERS ELECTED FROM WARDS.—The first sentence 
of section 401(d)(1) of such Act (sec. 1–204.01(d)(1), D.C. Official 
Code) is amended to read as follows: ‘‘In the event of a vacancy 
in the Council of a member elected from a ward, the Board 
of Elections shall hold a special election in the District on 
the Tuesday occurring at least 70 days and not more than 
174 days after the date on which such vacancy occurs which 
the Board of Elections determines, based on a totality of the 
circumstances, taking into account, inter alia, cultural and 
religious holidays and the administrability of the election, will 
provide the opportunity for the greatest level of voter participa-
tion.’’. 
(3) MEMBERS ELECTED AT-LARGE.—The second sentence of 
section 401(d)(2) of such Act (sec. 1–204.01(d)(2)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘and such special election’’ and all that follows 
and inserting the following: ‘‘and such special election shall 
be held on the Tuesday occurring at least 70 days and not 
more than 174 days after the date on which such vacancy 
occurs which the Board of Elections determines, based on a 
totality of the circumstances, taking into account, inter alia, 
cultural and religious holidays and the administrability of the 
District of 
Columbia 
Special Election 
Reform Act. 
July 18, 2012 
[H.R. 3902] 
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126 STAT. 1134 
PUBLIC LAW 112–145—JULY 18, 2012 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 3902: 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 112–186 (Comm. on Homeland Security and Governmental 
Affairs). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 158 (2012): 
Feb. 29, considered and passed House. 
July 12, considered and passed Senate. 
election, will provide the opportunity for the greatest level 
of voter participation.’’. 
(b) MAYOR.—The first sentence of section 421(c)(2) of such 
Act (sec. 1–204.21.(c)(2), D.C. Official Code) is amended to read 
as follows: ‘‘To fill a vacancy in the Office of Mayor, the Board 
of Elections shall hold a special election in the District on the 
Tuesday occurring at least 70 days and not more than 174 days 
after the date on which such vacancy occurs which the Board 
of Elections determines, based on a totality of the circumstances, 
taking into account, inter alia, cultural and religious holidays and 
the administrability of the election, will provide the opportunity 
for the greatest level of voter participation.’’. 
(c) ATTORNEY GENERAL.—The first sentence of section 435(b)(1) 
of such Act (sec. 1–204.35(b)(1), D.C. Official Code) is amended 
by striking ‘‘the Board’’ and all that follows and inserting the 
following: ‘‘the Board of Elections shall hold a special election in 
the District on the Tuesday occurring at least 70 days and not 
more than 174 days after the date on which such vacancy occurs 
which the Board of Elections determines, based on a totality of 
the circumstances, taking into account, inter alia, cultural and 
religious holidays and the administrability of the election, will 
provide the opportunity for the greatest level of voter participation.’’. 
SEC. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE. 
The amendments made by section 2 shall apply with respect 
to vacancies occurring on or after the enactment of this Act. 
Approved July 18, 2012. 
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