Just Trivia

[Gromit]

Sorry, I just learned something new and couldn't find where to post it, so I decided to do it in my regular section.

Did you know that the people who live in Washington D.C. The Capital of the United States, don't get a vote on who becomes President?

Everyone who lives in one of the 50 States gets to vote, but Washington D.C. Is not in any State, so its 650,000 people are disenfranchised.

Strange anomoly that I was unaware of until half an hour ago.

Now you can Carry On Regardless :-)

[sp1814]

Huh?

Seriously?

[ChillDoubt]

Sorry, I just learned something new and couldn't find where to post it, so I decided to do it in my regular section.
--------------------------
Yes, I've often thought you ought to be sectioned.....regularly.








Alright, alright, already getting my coat.....

[frugalfred]

Rather like members of the House of Lords being unable to vote for MPs - but they have the vote in local and EU elections.

[ToraToraTora]

Yes Gromit that's because DC is not actually in the USA.

[Bazile]

They can according to this Gromit -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/District_of_Columbia_voting_rights

[sunny-dave]

As a result of the Twenty-third Amendment to the United States Constitution, adopted in 1961, the District is entitled to three electoral votes in the election of the President of the United States

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/District_of_Columbia_voting_rights

[Dodger666]

In 1961, the 23rd Constitutional amendment granted Washington DC residents the right to vote in Presidential elections. However, they can't vote in other important matters. Explained better here:-

http://dc.about.com/od/government/a/DCVoteRights.htm

[Gromit]

Sorry, I must have been misled.

http://www.wcl.american.edu/hrbrief/v6i2/dcvoting.htm

[Aquariel]

Technically, no "ordinary" voters in the US get a vote on who becomes President :-) They vote for their state's representatives, who then vote for President and Vice-President. Washington DC is included in this as they get three electoral votes, but they have no voting representative in Congress.

At least that's how I understand it from my limited knowledge of American politics and Wikipedia :-)

[Gromit]

I thought it a bit odd.

But they don't have any Senators or Congressman.

[ToraToraTora]

It would have been correct up to 1961 Gromit.It's an odd situation but DC was deliberatley not in the United states, even though it is in the nation. Not sure how that works in the definition of the country.

[Gromit]

Thanks Aquariel,

So they get to vote for three reprentatives who don't have a vote (for president)?

I'm confused again.

[Zeuhl]

^
It seems they get three Representatives who can vote in the Presidential college - but nothing else!

[Gromit]

I see, thanks Zeuhl.

[ludwig]

No taxation without representation.

[anotheoldgit]

Gromit, A none news story.

[Gromit]

AOG

// None Story //

The clue was in the title "Just Trivia" and the explanation that I didn't know where else to post it.

At least I know when I post a none story...