FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 2026
Contact: Press@MoreAffordableDC.org
Phone: 202-744-2671
More Affordable DC Campaign Stunned By DCBOE’s Vote to Delay “Proper Subject Matter” Determination
Campaign Launches Calculator Showing Renter’s Potential Savings Under Proposed Rent Freeze
WASHINGTON, DC — The ballot initiative campaign committee More Affordable DC expressed deep disappointment after the District of Columbia Board of Elections (DCBOE) declined to vote on whether the campaign’s third draft of the DC Housing Modernization and Accessibility Act of 2026 constitutes “proper subject matter” for a District ballot initiative yesterday at their monthly meeting.
The Board’s decision to delay their crucial vote comes despite existing District laws and regulations that clearly establish the timeline for advisory review. Under DC law, the Board may request advisory opinions from the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia (OAG) and the Office of the General Counsel of the Council of the District of Columbia (OGC) within 15 days of the original request. The law does not explicitly authorize multiple or successive advisory opinion requests before making a subject matter determination.
On January 16, the campaign withdraw its second draft and submitted a revised third version the same day, incorporating feedback from prior advisory opinions issued in November and December 2025. In advance of yesterday’s hearing, both the OAG and OGC had already agreed that the third revision satisfied subject-matter requirements under District law. The updated draft clarified statutory language, refined implementation mechanisms, and addressed concerns related to subject-matter limitations, including avoiding direct appropriations and ensuring consistency with the Council’s budget authority. Section 2, which deals with the proposed Rent Freeze, has not been substantially changed since October 30, so the decision to not make the proper subject matter determination based on this section is entirely unwarranted.
Despite this, the Board declined to proceed with a vote and is seeking additional advisory opinions.
“This is our third submission — and as they say, third time’s a charm,” said Salim Adofo, Ward 8 Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner and proposer of the initiative. “We followed the law. We incorporated the advisory guidance from two previous submissions. Both reviewing offices agreed the measure is proper subject matter. The ballot initiative statute does not call for endless advisory opinion cycles before a determination is made. District voters deserve a decision — not delay.”
Adofo emphasized that the initiative process is a core component of the District’s Home Rule framework, designed to give residents a direct voice in policymaking when legislative action stalls.
“The initiative power belongs to the people,” Adofo added. “The Board’s role at this stage is limited and clearly defined. By declining to vote, the process is being slowed in a way that the law does not contemplate. We remain committed to doing this the right way — but we also expect the rules to be followed.”
The DCBOE has decided they will make a closed-door decision after they have received additional advisory opinions and without any implicit deadline. The campaign believes the determination will be publicly announced at the next DCBOE monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 1. Without a proper subject matter determination, the initiative cannot yet proceed to the next phase, which involves the formulation of the ballot initiative’s short title and summary statement, which now will likely take place in May.
“As a DC voter and renter, I’m stunned that the Board of Elections chose not to vote after all the work that has gone into making this initiative fully compliant with the law.” said Kris Furnish, chairwoman of the campaign and Ward 3 voter. “The rent freeze would offer real, immediate relief to people like me who are trying to stay afloat in a city where costs keep rising. We deserve a fair process — and a chance to vote on policies that could finally make housing in DC more stable and more affordable.”
If ultimately approved for circulation, the campaign must collect signatures from 5% of registered District voters citywide and 5% in five of the eight wards by Monday, July 6 in order to qualify for placement on the November 2026 general election ballot. The campaign believes the Board’s decision to delay their vote will prevent the ballot initiative from going before voters this November.
Introducing the Rent Freeze Calculator
In tandem with yesterday’s monthly meeting of the DCBOE, More Affordable DC unveiled a new online Rent Freeze Calculator, designed to help District renters estimate how much they could save if the initiative’s proposed two-year rent freeze takes effect in 2027. The calculator allows tenants to input their current monthly rent and projected increases to visualize potential savings during the rent freeze period.
Campaign organizers say the tool underscores the real-world stakes of the initiative, particularly for renters facing compounding annual increases. If enacted, the measure would temporarily pause rent increases for covered units for two years, followed by structural reforms intended to align allowable increases more closely with inflation and affordability standards.
The URL for the Rent Freeze Calculator is www.MoreAffordableDC.org/calculator/
More Affordable DC describes itself as a citizen-led initiative committee focused on stabilizing rents, modernizing housing policy, and expanding accessibility to affordable housing in the District. For more information, please visit www.MoreAffordableDC.org
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