John,

Washington, D.C. is the seat of our nation’s capital and is also the home to over 712,000 of our nation’s citizens. You may not be aware, but while D.C. residents pay federal taxes, serve on juries and in the U.S. military, start businesses and contribute to the national economy, they are still denied full rights and representation in Congress, despite paying more in taxes than 22 states.

The residents of D.C. have long fought for more representation, and this past January, the Washington, D.C. Admission Act was introduced in the House of Representatives. This legislation would admit the state of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth -- a new name in honor of Frederick Douglass, a leader in the abolitionist movement -- and provide the 712,000 residents of D.C. with full representation in Congress.

The fight for D.C. statehood is a vital part of the fight for equality and voting rights across our country, and D.C. residents need our help in their movement for statehood.

Take action now and call your Members of Congress to urge them to support the Washington, D.C. Admission Act >>

Then, read on to learn more about why D.C. statehood matters and how you can help make it a reality.

What would statehood do for D.C.? Why is statehood important?
Currently, D.C. elects a non-voting Delegate to the US House of Representatives who can draft legislation but cannot vote. They do not have a vote in the Senate, despite having a larger population than Wyoming and Vermont. On issues from civil rights to health care to education, D.C. residents have no vote in Congress to be their voice. Residents of D.C. deserve a voice, a vote in Congress, and control over their local laws. Statehood is the only remedy that provides full representation in Congress for the residents of Washington, D.C.

What does D.C. statehood have to do with voting rights and equality?
With a majority Black and brown population, the fight for D.C. Statehood cannot be separated from the fight for racial justice. Denying equal voting rights and full representation to a city that is predominantly Black and brown only exacerbates racial inequality in this country.

How does the statehood process work? How can we support D.C. in its fight for statehood?
If passed through the House and the Senate, the Washington, D.C. Admission Act would admit the state of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth into the union, providing D.C. residents with full representation in our democracy. D.C. residents would have a voting representative in the House and two senators.

When We All Vote urges Congress to act swiftly to pass H.R. 51 and grant statehood to Washington, D.C. Congress can no longer continue to exercise undemocratic authority over the American citizens who reside in our nation’s capital.

Thanks for being a part of our team.

When We All Vote