Under the 1802 Charter, what type of home rule existed in DC and who elected the city council?

Under the 1802 Charter, what type of home rule existed in DC and who elected the city council?

• A. Full home rule with elected council by all residents; mayor elected by residents
• B. No home rule; federal oversight
• C. Limited home rule with white men with property electing the city council; mayor appointed by the President
• D. Direct democracy with citizen ballots for mayor and council

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that this period gave DC a limited form of local self-government. A city council was elected, but only by a restricted group—white men who owned property—while the mayor was not chosen by residents but appointed by the President. This shows local governance existed, but with substantial federal control and discriminatory voting rights. It isn’t full home rule because the executive wasn’t elected by residents, nor is it no home rule or direct democracy, since there was an elected council and the mayor’s appointment remained with Congress/the President.

The main idea is that this period gave DC a limited form of local self-government. A city council was elected, but only by a restricted group—white men who owned property—while the mayor was not chosen by residents but appointed by the President. This shows local governance existed, but with substantial federal control and discriminatory voting rights. It isn’t full home rule because the executive wasn’t elected by residents, nor is it no home rule or direct democracy, since there was an elected council and the mayor’s appointment remained with Congress/the President.