Twenty Third Amendment

The 23rd Amendment of the United States Constitution would finally provide for citizens of the District of Columbia to vote for the President and Vice President offices. Prior to the 23rd Amendment, citizens of Washington, D.C. were not granted the right to vote on the basis that the Capital is not considered a State of the United States.

Under Article I of the United States Constitution, power was granted to Congress to accept land from the states for the purpose of the creation of the seat of Government. The District of Columbia was founded in accordance with this provision, as the states of Maryland and Virginia would provide for such land. Washington, D.C. would, therefore, be controlled by Congress.

The 23rd Amendment was proposed by Congress on June 17th, 1960, and finally ratified by the necessary number of states on March 29th, 1961. Washington D.C. citizens would ultimately be able to exercise their new right to vote in a presidential election in 1964.

Under the provisions included in the 23rd Amendment, the District of Columbia would be restricted to having a number of electors that would reflect the number of electors in the least populated State of the United States. The electors would be appointed by the State, and would be considered as electors appointed by a State. The electors would be bound to observe and follow the provisions contained within the Twelfth Amendment.