What do you think of making election day a national holiday?

Uptosnuff

Uptosnuff

Member
Location
Great Plains, USA
I never even thought about it, but I was watching a news story today about this and think it is a really good idea. Apparently, attempts have been made in the past but it has never gone anywhere. I would even be willing to give up another holiday to substitute for this one. The is one of the most important things a citizen does. I think we as a nation should mark it as such.

What do you think?
 
When I worked, it was considered a state holiday and a paid day off. Of course, the state couldn't allow the whole state police to be off, so we could either use the day on Election Day or a day off of our choice. Depending on your seniority is what decided when you had to use. it. I usually put in for a different day.

With mail-in voting being accepted in most states, why take off? I would imagine that companies that worked for profit had to make it up somewhere.
 
Why do you need 24 hours off to vote? I don't believe a holiday would significantly increase the number of voters. Knowing human nature, a voting holiday would be an excuse for a 20% off sale. Maybe alternative ways of voting- mail in.- internet voting could make voting less grueling.
 
Where I live, the workers have to have a certain amount of time off before the polls close on Election Days in order to vote.
That's even in effect for municipal elections.
Voting is a big thing here. The parties will even pick you up and drive you to the polling stations and drive you back home.
All you have to do is call.
 
i worked sometimes three jobs and i always found a way to get and vote. i now work the polls open at 7 close at 8 and there are so many ways to vote absentee. you will find a way if you really want to make it happen. plus, in my opinion i don't think we would have a bigger turn out, plus why should companies pay people to not work. (OK all my jobs never had any paid days off for any reason, sick, holidays, any thing) we had an agreement if you work you get paid if not you didn't.
 
I would prefer 1-2 weeks including weekends. This option minimizes long lines, helps avoiding bad weather day and lost of work/school. For instance, if there is rain or snow on election day then arrange to vote days earlier. If I remember correctly, years ago people in northeast or southeast couldn't vote due to hurricane or big storms.
 
I don't see the point in making it a holiday. When I worked I had no problem leaving to vote during the day, or voting on my way home. With early voting options, what is the problem?
 
I can just see it now...

It becomes a party day and every gets together (well, except during COVID-19), gets drunk, and heads to the polls. WHEEEEEE! :) :)

Seriously, I don't really care one way or another. If it helps more people do their duty as a citizen of the US, then I am all for it. When working full time, I got up early so I was one of the first in line to vote, and then head to work. I wouldn't expect everybody to do that, but it is just what I did. This year, my wife and I applied for absentee ballots, which are registered specifically to us, and voted that way instead of going out.

Tony
 
No I don't like the idea. The reason is it might cause people to wait until the election day to vote and that is not a good idea. 34 million people have already voted on 10/20 and that is great. No company can refuse you to leave work to go cast your vote and if you wait until the last day the lines may force you to take the whole day off.
 
I believe that the Australians have a great system,
it is illegal not to vote in their elections I have been
told.

A few years ago the second biggest voting city in the
Australian Elections was London England, their are
thousands of Australians here, or there used to be.

Mike.
 
Excellent idea. We have a lot of national holidays whose meaningfulness has largely expired. For instance, the Italian community celebrates Columbus Day, at least I think they do. Doesn't mean too much to anyone else. And what does Presidents Day mean? Election Day is much more important.
 
I've enjoyed reading the different opinions. Real opinions from real people. That's why I love coming to this forum.

I've always thought it was odd how this nation, that prides itself on being a republic and is really into itself, seems to make its citizens squeeze voting into whatever small compartment of time they had leftover from their day. Even after thinking it over for a few days I still come to the same conclusion of a holiday for national elections.
 
I'm all for making it a holiday. Many of us had no problem voting., but many did, and it has al ways been a way to block votes by making
certain peoples work late and longer, at least in Texas. Let's make it easier to vote.
 
My post on this was deleted. Let's just say I don't see the need for a national holiday given the prevalence of early voting and mail-in ballots.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top