Councilmember Anita Bonds Introduces Advisory Neighborhood Commission Proof of Residence Amendment Act of 2017

Councilmember Anita Bonds introduces Advisory Neighborhood Commission Proof of Residence Amendment Act of 2017 At Tuesday’s Council Legislative Session, Councilmember Anita Bonds introduced the Advisory Neighborhood Commission Candidate Proof of Residence Amendment Act of 2017, to require prospective candidates for Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner (ANC) to provide documentation demonstrating that the candidate in fact resides within the Single-Member District the candidate is running to represent. These requirements would be no more onerous than those for obtaining a District driver’s license or identification card at the DMV. Recent news and media stories have alleged that some ANC Commissioners are in violation of D.C. Official Code § 1-309.05 that requires candidates for ANC to live within the Single-Member District during the 60 days prior to their filing of their nominating petitions. Moreover, D.C. Official Code § 1-309.06 (e) dictates that a member of an Advisory Neighborhood Commission who ceases to reside in the Single-Member District from which elected shall be considered to have resigned, and the office shall be declared vacant. Currently, ANC candidates do not have to show documentation or provide proof that they reside in the Single-Member District, beyond the candidate’s own attestation. While this attestation may be legally binding, and places liability on the candidate, it is implicitly difficult to enforce after the fact. “This common-sense provision will strengthen faith and integrity in the community’s most immediate local government representatives,” stated Councilmember Bonds at introduction. The Advisory Neighborhood Commission Candidate Proof of Residence Amendment Act of 2017was co-introduced by Councilmembers Robert White and Trayon White and was co-sponsored by Councilmembers Mary Cheh, Brandon Todd and Vincent C. Gray.