Elections Held on Tuesdays?, britannica.com (accessed Sep. 30, 2019), Evan Andrews, "Election 1010: Why Do We Vote on a Tuesday in November?, history.com, Aug. 31, 2018, Grace Panetta and Olivia Reaney, "Today Is National Voter Registration Day. Who wants more of the people who think professional wrestling is real or that 9/11 was an inside job to help pick the next president? Chicago, Illinois 60654 USA, Natalie Leppard You know what else they have? If you want to make Election Day a national holiday because you believe American workers should have more days off to hang out with their families or pound a few brewskis with their buds Im all in. Count me out. [31] Same-day registration boosts turnout by 5%, and universal implementation of it would have added as many as 4.8 million voters in the 2016 election, according to Danielle Root, JD, and Liz Kennedy, JD, from the Center for American Progress. Many states have already declared National Election Day a civic holiday, which is an occasion to commemorate America's history, celebrate our rights and responsibilities as citizens, and learn about our constitutional ideals. Speaking on MichMash, she explainsthat one of her biggest concerns has to do with the post office. Pew Research Center found 71 percent of Democrats and 59 percent of Republicans support that. As the chart shows, presidential turnout corresponds with midterm turnout and in 2018, turnout skyrocketed from 36.7% four years previously to 49.6%. Political science is the scientific study of politics. In California, for example, theres now permanent voting by mail(voters can also go on line, after theyve submitted their ballot, to see if theyve been processed). [26] Creating laws in all states that let people vote before or after work would be more effective than a national holiday, which would quickly be viewed as just another day off to enjoy. John M. Cunningham, "Why Are U.S. The U.S. ranks 26th out of 32 for voter among Tina Barton, a Republican Rochester Hills City Clerk has a lot of those questions, and more. Or are there other legitimate and logical reasons that may be preventing the Election Day from becoming a national holiday? A survey showed U.S. adults would rather have a federal holiday on Election Day than on Christmas Eve, the Friday after Thanksgiving, or St. Patricks Day. [8], In the 2016 presidential election, 55.7% of the American voting-age population cast a ballot. And what happens to be at the top of the list? Other solutions would more reliably increase voter turnout than a national holiday. Last week his office released a list of voting rights provisions he would support. In true American fashion, I say we take the day off, cast our votes, then stock up the ice chests with beer, fire up and thaw out the grill, gather with friends and neighbors while we argue and/or celebrate the individual we choose as commander in chief for the next four years. Should the Guantnamo Bay Detention Center Remain Open? The dream of busy voting booths is the goal of House Democratic legislation to make Election Day a [+] federal holiday. Another positive: This would turn the day into a celebration of democracy. Should Election Day be a national holiday? On WDETs Detroit Today with Stephen Henderson, Benson emphasized that making Election Day a holiday would make it easier toattractmore election workers. And even if elections arent routine in the age of Donald Trump, its a nice option to have. Why Isn't Election Day A National Holiday In The United States? Source: Matthew Haag, "Mitch McConnell Calls Push to Make Election Day a Holiday a Democratic Power Grab," nytimes.com, Jan. 31, 2019, Differences in Conservative and Liberal Brains, The Electoral College: Top 3 Pros and Cons, Coronavirus: Timeline of Comments by Trump and Biden with Context')" href="https://www.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=007115">, Election Day National Holiday: Top 3 Pros and Cons, 2008 Presidential Election (archived 1/19/09), 2012 Presidential Election (archived 1/22/13), 2016 Presidential Election (archived 1/21/17), College Football Playoffs (archived 9/18/12), Insider Trading by Congress (archived 4/18/12). 5 Reasons Election Day Should Be a National Holiday - Global Would you have to pay all levels of election workers holiday pay, which would make administering elections more expensive? Not useful if people have strong opinions. Move past the theatrics of the government shutdown, impeachment and the threat of investigations ad infinitumand theres the question of Democrat squad goals in a Pelosi-run House of Representatives. Approximately two million people who work for the federal government would be given a paid day off, and private companies might follow suit. Way too many Americans are voting already. [28][29], Patagonia, an outdoor clothing retailer, paused operation on Nov. 6, 2018 so that all employees could vote. These changes would send a strong rebuke to those who are attempting to scale back voting rights and make it more difficult for African-Americans and Latinos to vote. "Should Election Day Be a National Holiday?" Push for the position and policies you support by writing US national senators and representatives. It does not force voters to elect any one candidate and therefore, we believe, it survives constitutional muster. The nature of a public holiday is that businesses close and workers are entitled WebElection Day could be made a federal holiday if a bill were passed by the House and Senate then signed into law by the president. WDET is here to keep you informed onessential information, news and resources related to COVID-19. 14 . Incidentally, Australia routinely reaches more than 90 percent voter turnout, compared to the United States, where average voter turnout in presidential elections since 1965 has been only 54%. Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. To Feed His Ravenous Flock, Ron DeSantis Ignores the Real Problem With the Fed, The Flat Tax Revolution In State Capitals Is Thriving, Amazon Tax Subsidies Are Inefficient Job Creators, New Immigration Initiatives Promise Improvements In U.S. Migration From Southern Countries, Latest Biden Regulation Will Cause Massive Trouble For New Homebuyers, retired matadors and mathematical savants. Say goodbye to making Election Day a federal holiday and other A part-time hourly worker is more likely to have multiple jobs, none of which are likely to offer time off. HR 1, also known as the For The People Act.. If Election Day is a national holiday, would that mean the post office would be closed, she asked. Why isn't Election Day a national holiday in the US? - KSDK Should Election Day Be a Holiday? - Morningside Center @TinaLBarton gave me some good insight that caused me to reconsider my bill that would have done just that. In the 2016 election, only 56% of voting-age Americans cast their ballots. 12, 2019, Ceylan Pumphrey, "Do Businesses Have to Give Federal Holidays Like Presidents Day Off?, blogs.findlaw.com, Feb. 14, 2018, Department of Labor, "Holiday Pay, dol.gov (accessed Sep. 23, 2019), Peggy Emch, "Is Holiday Pay Required by Law?, timesheets.com, 2013, Fast Casual, "Study: Why Hourly Workers Forced to Work Multiple Jobs, fastcasual.com, Apr. Please make a gift today. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Explain your answer. Low 38F. Litigation pending before the Supreme Court this term in Brnovich v. DNC, however, threatens to undermine this rule. ", "While it is the purview of the states to set election rules, I will encourage them to make voting fair and easily accessible for all voters.". 3. A National Many Americans are not Here are five reasons why Election Day should be a national holiday. National Election Day rolls around every four years and falls on the first Tuesday in November. It is the duty of the state to make exercising this right as accesible as possible by making the election day a holiday. What other improvements could be made to voting and Election Day? would align the US with other countries Consider how you felt about the issue before reading this article. Political campaigns can help winning elections. Election Day National Holiday But these days, Tuesdays are actually quite inconvenient for many Americans, particularly those who cant take time off work to cast their ballots a problem that disproportionately affects Black, Latino and lower-income voters. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles. Why or why not? However, rules, dates and deadlines vary by state, which can be confusing to some voters. Not everyone is jumping at the idea of making Election Day a state holiday, however. 2. As of mid-May Republicans in 48 states have introduced 389 bills that would reduce the hours polls are open; forbid people from eating or drinking while waiting in line to vote; close voter registration on Sundays, when Black churches traditionally have organized their members to register and vote; repeal no excuse absentee voting; and create a long list of other barriers to voting. Holidays, law.cornell.edu (accessed Sep. 30, 2019), Matthew Haag, "Mitch McConnell Calls Push to Make Election Day a Holiday a Democratic Power Grab," nytimes.com, Jan. 31, 2019, Drew DeSilver, "U.S. Trails Most Developed Countries in Voter Turnout, pewresearch.org, May 21, 2018, Gustavo Lpez and Antonio Flores, "Dislike of Candidates or Campaign Issues Was Most Common Reason for Not Voting in 2016, pewresearch.org, June 1, 2017, Beau C. Tremitiere, "Election Day Should Be a National Holiday, cnbc.com, July 5, 2016, York Dispatch Editorial Board, "Editorial: On Voting, GOP Takes a Holiday from its Senses, yorkdispatch.com, Feb. 1, 2019, Tacey Rychter, "How Compulsory Voting Works: Australians Explain," nytimes.com, Nov. 5, 2018, Archon Fung and Jane Mansbridge, "Lets Vote, Party and Celebrate American Democracy on a New Holiday Called Citizen Day, usatoday.com, Oct. 26, 2018, Thomas MacMillan, "This Might Be the Best Idea for Turning out More Voters in U.S. Elections, nymag.com, July 8, 2017, Drew Desilver, "Weekday Elections Set the U.S. apart from Many Other Advanced Democracies, pewresearch.org, Nov. 6, 2018, Kathy Frankovic, "St. Patricks Day Not So Popular - Americans Would Rather Election Day a Holiday, today.yougov.com, Mar. [1] The decision was made taking into account farmers, a large portion of the voting constituency at the time, who would not have been able to travel to polling places in winter months or during planting or harvest times. Virginia Gov. Its one of many sweeping changes she would like to see in stateelection law. In many other democracies around the world, national elections are held on the weekend or are a federal holiday. We see that you have javascript disabled. Pros & Cons Of Election Campaigns Winds light and variable. Make Election Day a national holiday - Brookings [24] Holidays usually mean more work hours for retail workers, because stores run promotions and sales. Should Election Day Be a National Holiday? Russia, Turkey, Iran, Syria Meet In Moscow: Whats Afoot? There is a simple and straightforward solution: make Election Day a national holiday so that people have the time and freedom to vote without taking time off from work. May improve popularity of a candidate. WebAt the opening of Congress this past January, House Democrats introduced a proposal to make Election Day a national holiday. ProCon.org. The answer dates back to 1845, when Congress passed a law declaring that federal elections would be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Georgia had the 12th-highest turnout in the country in 2018, with 57% participation. Republicans and Democrats Move Further Apart in Views of Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams, for example, says she lost the 2018 governors race as a victim of some ballot-blocking scheme. Passing voting rights reform will be a crucial component of this response, as would making Election Day a national holiday. I feel the commenter's central thesis is that there are way more Dems in the US then Repubels. And some countries, like Australia, require people to vote by subjecting those who dont to a minor fine equivalent to a traffic ticket. So, since this effort does not receive bipartisan support, it is difficult to enact.. The measure contains an election-reform bushelful of liberal chestnuts same-day voter registration, provisional ballots, poll worker recruitment and training. Folks who follow the news and keep up with current events sometimes forget theyre in the minority. Bernie Sanders attempted to pass an Election Day holiday under the "Democracy Day Act" in 2018. Its hard to say. While there are a lot of positives to creating a new national holiday, there are also some negatives. [14], Pew Research Center found that 71% of Democrats and 59% of Republicans support making Election Day a federal holiday. If Election Day is a national holiday, would that mean the post office would be closed, she asked. Election Day could be made a holiday if a bill were passed by the House and Senate then signed into law by the president. Low 38F. Please enable javascript and refresh the page to continue reading local news. Its time to make voting harder. After reading the pros and cons on this topic, has your thinking changed? [8][15] A holiday for elections sidesteps the issue of a weekend election, which could conflict with religious obligations. By comparison, Belgium reported the highest OECD voter turnout: 87.2% in the most recent national election. PRO/Con: Should Election Day be a federal holiday? This Material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any form. Proper citation depends on your preferred or required style manual. Is that really an improvement? (function($) {window.fnames = new Array(); window.ftypes = new Array();fnames[0]='EMAIL';ftypes[0]='email';fnames[1]='FNAME';ftypes[1]='text';fnames[2]='LNAME';ftypes[2]='text';fnames[4]='MMERGE4';ftypes[4]='date';fnames[6]='MMERGE6';ftypes[6]='text';fnames[5]='MMERGE5';ftypes[5]='date';fnames[3]='MMERGE3';ftypes[3]='date';fnames[7]='MMERGE7';ftypes[7]='date';fnames[8]='MMERGE8';ftypes[8]='zip';fnames[9]='MMERGE9';ftypes[9]='radio';fnames[10]='MMERGE10';ftypes[10]='text';fnames[11]='MMERGE11';ftypes[11]='text';}(jQuery));var $mcj = jQuery.noConflict(true); Your connection to news, music, conversation. Some countries She's also done some online freelancing and worked on documentary films. [15] A survey showed that US adults would rather have a federal holiday on Election Day than on Christmas Eve, the Friday after Thanksgiving, or St. Patricks day. Ralph Northam signed a bill on Sunday making Election Day a state holiday with the intention of making it easier for voters to cast their ballots in elections. [23], Annie McDonald, Editor of the Berkeley Public Policy Journal, noted that the workers who are least likely to get paid holidays are those who already have less of a voice in the political process: Americans working in retail, hospitality, and service jobs, for example, would most likely not receive the benefit of a paid holiday to vote. However, I feel like this is painting with a broad stroke. Approximately two million people who work for the federal government would be given a paid day off, and private companies might follow suit. What are the pros and cons of making Election Day a national Below are the proper citations for this page according to four style manuals (in alphabetical order): the Modern Language Association Style Manual (MLA), the Chicago Manual of Style (Chicago), the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), and Kate Turabian's A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (Turabian). According to the AFL-CIO, 30 states require employers to allow employees time off for voting. (Photo: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg). If you make election day a federal holiday, youll have all the people who work in these types of jobs still having to work, being inundated with customers who have the day off and they wont have child care because the schools will be closed, Suzanne Lucas, who previously worked in human resources, wrote in a piece for Inc.com. More absentee voters mean there needs to be more of those ballots processed on Election Day, while other poll workers help people cast ballots in person. Bartons concerns about the possible unintended consequences of an Election Day holiday haveled a Democratic sponsor of legislation to create the holiday to reconsider her bill. For purposes of any law relating to Federal employment, the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November in 2020 and each Again, it is not clear that this is demonstrably true but it is a widespread perception.

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