Election Day should be a national holiday.

Derrick

I've never waited in line at a polling station, and my city has 300,000 people in it. The US should really look to other countries on how to run elections (among other things).

You don't need a holiday to vote, but if you were to get rid of an existing one, I don't see an issue with that. More polling stations would be a good start.

cincybearcat

Iowa has a state law stating that anyone that wants to vote, their employer must ensure they are off work for at least 3 consecutive hours while the polls are open.

Where I work this effects 1 shift, they are given the opportunity to request the additional 1 hour off they need and the company is forced to pay them their regular wages.

Seems reasonable, except Iowa also offered early voting and there are always absentee ballots, so it doesn't make a whole lot of seince anymore.

know1

Kenny Olav wrote:

Ever hear of someone having to work two jobs, and perhaps on top of that, spending a lot of time commuting? For some people, it is quite seriously impossible to find time to vote. And even for people who work 9 to 5, they might have to get their kids ready for school in the morning, or have a long commute, or both, and in the few hours they might have after work (if their commute isn't too long) who knows what could come up?

Election Day should be a stress-free day, when you can wake up, have a good breakfast, think about some of those ballot initiatives some more, have one last talk about the candidates and issues with your family, neighbors, friends, and then get together as a town to vote.

You can make arrangements to vote other than the actual election day, you know.

People at my work do a lot of traveling and they have all made arrangements to vote.

saveuplife

digster wrote:

I don't believe I am incorrect, but my main question has not been answered. What is the opposition to a longer election period? Someone mentioned earlier that we already have early voting, so why not turn election day into election two days or three days? The only plausible consequence of such a decision would be a higher turnout. If I'm right, the turnout would be far higher. If you're right, there would still be a higher turnout, albeit less high. This is the most important act a citizen in this country can take; what's the opposition to making sure everyone can vote? What's the downside? I don't believe this is necessarily your viewpoint, but I think the viewpoint of many is that a higher turnout, particularly those voters who would turnout, may lead to different election results than the norm.

But I ask again, what could be the downside to that? It's voting, a citizen's solemn and dutiful act; let's make it big, and let's take every precaution to ensure everyone who wants to vote can vote.

I don't see a downside with placing better enforcement for those who have employers who frown upon voting time-off (as is currently). My point is everyone should be able to vote and then go back to work. I don't think it's necessary to have extra days off or even "extra hours" off, that's all. Only use what is needed. We have a system in place now, that should work.

You (and a few others) said that some can't afford to take off that hour because they work hourly. Well, think about this... should the government be paying for people's gas? In rural areas, people drive sustantial distances and probably "pay" a lot more than urban individuals in order to vote. I don't think the government should pay for gas and I don't think the government should give a day off.

Moreover, the point that giving a day off would solve the "hourly pay" issue you presented doesn't make sense because if you give the day off.... those people making NOTHING!

Heineken Helen

Austicman wrote:

All elections in Australia are held on a Saturday. But at the same time it doesn't take 8 hours to vote either. I've voted in a about a dozen elections and it's never taken me more that 15 minutes to vote in any of them. Most of the time I'm in and out in 5 minutes.

Why does it take so long to vote in the states? Is it the amount of polling booths per head of the population? Does the paperwork for each person take for ever?? I'm really interested to know.

our elections are usually held on a week day but I agree... I've never queued... in and out just like that. However, I lived in Dublin but was registered to vote in Cavan (so I could vote on my own local elections... but I changed that the last couple of years to make it easier) so it would take two hours to get to the booths but I NEVER had a problem with an employer not letting me leave early to vote. I'm sure it's illegal in ireland for them to stop you anyway.

Anyway, I'm sure rhino surprise can clarify but I think the booths were open from about 7am til 10pm... so there's NO issue.

Lesbelges

LikeAnOcean wrote:

Native Americans were the first humans on this continent. The Vikings soon after.

Celebrating the dates of when and where people found new places to reside is rather silly.. IMO.

Then you would agree that celebrating a holiday in which you thank the help of a race/population which was in turn practically exterminated is rather silly?