D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 3, r. 3-1904

Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Rule 3-1904 - PREPARATION OF SHORT TITLE AND SUMMARY STATEMENT BY BOARD OF ELECTIONS

1904.1

If the Resolution passed by the Council does not specify a short title or summary statement, the Board shall submit for publication in the D.C. Register a "Notice of Public Hearing: Receipt and Intent to Formulate Proposed Ballot Language."

1904.2

The "Notice of Public Hearing: Receipt and Intent to Formulate Proposed Ballot Language" shall include the Resolution passed by the Council in its entirety.

1904.3

Within twenty (20) calendar days after receipt of the Resolution calling for an Advisory Referendum vote, the Board shall conduct a public meeting to formulate the following proposed ballot language:

(a) An abbreviated and impartial summary statement not exceeding one hundred and fifty (150) words in length, which expresses the chief purpose of the proposition upon which the Council desires to take action; and

(b) A short title for the Advisory Referendum not exceeding twenty (20) words in length by which it will be readily identifiable and distinguishable from other measures which may appear on the ballot.

1904.4

The short title of the Advisory Referendum shall be written in substantially the following form: "Advisory Referendum."

1904.5

The summary statement and short title formulated by the Board shall accurately and impartially reflect the meaning and intent of the proposition set forth in the Council's resolution and shall not intentionally create prejudice for or against the Advisory Referendum.

1904.6

The following shall apply to the counting of words in the summary statement prepared by the Board pursuant to § 1904.3:

(a) Punctuation is not counted;

(b) Each word shall be counted as one (1) word except as specified in this subsection;

(c) All geographical names shall be considered as one (1) word; for example, "District of Columbia" shall be counted as one (1) word;

(d) Each abbreviation for a word, phrase, or expression shall be counted as one (1) word;

(e) Hyphenated words that appear in any generally available dictionary shall be considered as one (1) word. Each part of all other hyphenated words shall be counted as a separate word;

(f) Dates consisting of a combination of words and digits shall be counted as two (2) words. Dates consisting only of a combination of digits shall be counted as one (1) word; and

(g) Any number consisting of a digit or digits shall be considered as one (1) word. Any number which is spelled, such as "one," shall be considered as a separate word or words. "One" shall be counted as one (1) word whereas "one hundred" shall be counted as two (2) words. The number "100" shall be counted as one (1) word.

1904.7

Within five (5) working days of formulating the proposed short title and summary statement of the proposition, the Board shall submit the following to the D.C. Register for publication:

(a) The Resolution passed by the Council in its entirety;

(b) The proposed short title; and

(c) The proposed summary statement.

1904.8

Within five (5) working days of formulating the proposed short title and summary statement, the Board shall also notify the Mayor and the Chairman of the Council, either by personal delivery or by certified mail, of the exact wording of the proposed short title and summary statement.

1904.9

Copies of the following shall be made available to the public by the Board at no charge:

(a) The Resolution passed by the Council in its entirety;

(b) The proposed short title; and

(c) The proposed summary statement.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 3, r. 3-1904

Final Rulemaking published at 40 DCR 7083 (October 8, 1993)

Authority: Section 5 of the District of Columbia Election Code of 1955, approved August 12, 1955, as amended (69 Stat. 699; D.C. Official Code § 1-1001.05(a)(14) ).