DC Appleseed 2020 Gala
October 29, 2020
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Contact:
Alex Roos, Director of Development
aroos@dcappleseed.org
202-316-9797
DC Voter Representation Convening
DC Appleseed aims to analyze DC’s crowded primaries and split elections. Our goal is to increase the number of local races resulting in a clear majority and democratic mandate for elected officials while reducing existing racial and economic disparities in voter turnout.
To ensure we examine the most viable options for DC and to begin building broad consensus and buy-in among stakeholders, DC Appleseed held a convening to determine the best three to five potential options for DC for further research and analysis.
Note: DC Appleseed is non-partisan and independent. We do not have a position nor do we endorse any currently pending legislations or initiatives related to DC elections.
Keynote Speaker:
Maya Wiley, President and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
Lisa Rice, Make All Votes Count DC
Professor Brian McCabe, Georgetown University Center for Social Justice
Charles Wilson, DC Democratic Party
Lee Drutman, New America Political Reform Program
Deb Otis, Fair Vote
Chris Raleigh, The Center for Election Science
Note: Additional speakers will be confirmed prior to the event.
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We invite local and national election advocacy groups, academics, and DC residents of all backgrounds to participate in this event.
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Prior to the convening, we will ask participants to submit an array of potential "solutions" for consideration.
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Through a series of panel discussions during the convening, we will narrow many possible solutions to just several
Thank You to Our Partners
CHALLENGES IN DC ELECTIONS
While DC has always been a heavily Democratic city, the party now routinely receives more than 90% of the votes in the presidential elections. In most DC races, the winner of the Democratic primary is the de facto winner of the general election, but that outcome is decided with only a small number of eligible voters participating (22.4% in the 2022 primaries) and no input from DC’s Republican or independent voters.
One critical exception to primaries being the key vote is DC’s At-Large races. Section 401 of the Home Rule Act (“Charter”) states that no more than two of the four At-Large seats on the Council (excluding the seat held by the Chairperson) may be of the same majority political party. As a result, DC’s elections are split with most of the races decided in the primary, and the race for the one independent seat on the Council that is elected every two years being decided in November.
An increased number of candidates (due in part to public campaign finance) means local officials often win their elections with a small plurality versus a majority of votes.
POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS
In recent years, many jurisdictions considered and implemented electoral reform, examining the rules of their political system and finding ways to ensure those rules support effective, representative government and broad democratic participation. Local electoral rules determine how officials are selected: which candidates and political parties can compete and how voters are allowed to choose between them.
Nearly unlimited options for improving DC’s elections exist. Some potential options include:
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Instituting rank-choice voting.
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Holding non-partisan primaries (open primaries), with the top two (or three) finishers advancing to the general election;
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Holding runoff primary elections between the top two vote-getters if no candidate receives an absolute majority; or
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Eliminate the limitation in DC’s Home Rule Act on the number of At-Large seats that a political party may hold.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
DC Appleseed will conduct more detailed research and analysis of the selected reforms. We plan to publicly release a report on potential electoral reforms for DC in 2024.
DC Appleseed 2021 Gala
A New D.C. - Better Than Ever
DC Appleseed 2022 Gala
Continuing Our Mighty Work
2023 Seeding Change Luncheon
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
12-2 pm
DC Water HQO
This year, DC Appleseed held its annual fundraiser at DC Water's HQO, located at 1385 Canal St. SE, Washington, DC 20003. Attendees enjoyed dazzling views of the Anacostia River and the DC skyline, while enjoying networking, lunch, and a live program with awards. All supporters of this event ensured DC Appleseed can continue its award-winning and mighty work.
Hosted by: Rev. Kendrick Curry, Victor Bonett, Steve Stanton, Apera Nwora, Peter Denton, Gary Ratner, Patricia Brannan, Marc Efron, Eleanor Smith, & Jeffrey Handwerker
Past Events
Past Events
DC Appleseed Center Gershon Ratner Reception
DC Appleseed was honored to host our inaugural Gershon Ratner Reception on April 2, 2025, at Washington Gas. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our community for coming together to celebrate the remarkable lifetime achievement honorees: Alan Morrison, David Grosso, and Gary Ratner, as well as our Emerging Leaders Honoree, Camillo Morales, and the recipient of the Golden Apple Award, the Agua Fund. A special recognition goes to our Champions of Democracy awardees, whose invaluable pro bono research and legal expertise contributed to our Voter Representation in DC's Elections report. This critical work highlights the power of collaborative advocacy in enhancing representation and fostering a more inclusive democracy.
We deeply appreciate the support of our attendees; it is the strength of our community that lies at the heart of our mission.
A special shoutout to The Honorable Brian L. Schwalb, Attorney General for the District of Columbia, so serving as our keynote speaker.
Securing DC Appleseed
Our premier event for 2024, “Securing DC Appleseed” was a celebration of our 30-year legacy of making the District a better place to live and work. The funds raised ensure DC Appleseed’s can continue this important work. Thank you to our many partners in DC Appleseed’s success today and throughout our history:
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Expert attorneys, business leaders, and professionals who work on important Appleseed projects;
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Government leaders who seek and adopt DC Appleseed’s recommendations;
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Nonprofit partners who inform and expand DC Appleseed’s reform efforts;
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Donors and foundations who enable DC Appleseed’s work; and Many other DC Appleseed supporters.
With your support, we can keep building towards a better DC: a more equitable and democratic city in which all residents get a fair shot at health, stability, opportunity, and empowerment.
Congratulations to our honorees:
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The Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, The Golden Apple Award Recipient
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Richard Herzog, Harkins Cunningham LLP
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Jon Bouker, ArentFox Schiff LLP
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Annemargaret Connolly, Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP
HOST COMMITTEE
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Elizabeth Halpern, Board Chair
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Annemargaret Connolly, Immediate Past Board Chair
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Vanessa Batters-Thompson, Executive Director
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Neil Richardson, Deputy Director
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Peter Denton, Co-Chair, Development Committee
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Victor Bonett, Co-Chair, Development Committee
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Gary Ratner, Co-Founder
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Deborah Chollet
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Jeffrey Handwerker
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William Stein
Marquee Sponsors
QUESTIONS?
Please contact Erin Calloway at ecalloway@dcappleseed.org or (202) 987-5567