General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsElection Day should be a national holiday.
If we can have a day off for something as meaningless as New Years Day, we should have off for a day to vote.
LeftofObama
(4,243 posts)time and time and time again!
kenfrequed
(7,865 posts)It could take place over a weekend to give everyone plenty of time to vote and to allow more people that work five days a week greater access to the polls.
Posteritatis
(18,807 posts)Here they're required by law to give employees four consecutive, paid hours on election day if their schedule would possibly interfere with voting.
revolution breeze
(879 posts)If I was not able to vote before going to work, my boss always made sure I left work no later than 6 pm so I could get to the polls before they closed at 8. This was when I was in my 20s and I think his attitude really reinforced in me the importance of voting (as if having an activist mother wasn't enough of an influence).
kenfrequed
(7,865 posts)We have that as well in Minnesota as well as same day voting laws. We also have the highest voter turnout in the nation rather consistently.
I still think it could be better.
revolution breeze
(879 posts)It doesn't help voter turnout. In the 2011 governors race, just over 30% of registered voters went to the polls, even with two full weeks of early voting. People always has an excuse: football game, opening day of deer season, a festival, etc......
RebelOne
(30,947 posts)tallahasseedem
(6,716 posts)I completely agree!
Nye Bevan
(25,406 posts)No polling places, no lines, no hassle.
revolution breeze
(879 posts)For the 2004 Govenor's election, I never received my ballot, and hubby received his on the ship the day before election day. I was able to go the the registrar's office and cast my vote but hubby was unable to vote in that election because there was no way it could be postmarked by election day (small ship, not part of a carrier battle group). And I like going to the polls, I always bring my children and give them a mini-civics lesson about the importance of being an informed voter.
Swede Atlanta
(3,596 posts)then Election Day on the year of a Presidential contest should be a National Holiday OR elections should be held on a weekend.
In most European countries this is on a Sunday but heaven forbid we would get a ration of resistance from Xtians here.
But since we don't really take elections seriously here we have what we have.
Jake2413
(226 posts)And everyone should be required to vote.
revolution breeze
(879 posts)Less than half of the people in the United States who are eligible to vote actually do vote!
Proud Liberal Dem
(24,412 posts)a mandate????
Jake2413
(226 posts)Johnny Rico
(1,438 posts)Posteritatis
(18,807 posts)Someone misses a vote, they're asked to explain why; there's acceptable outs such as illness or religious objection, etc., and if one of those isn't provided then the voter's fined twenty dollars.
They had a ninety-four percent turnout for their last election.
Jake2413
(226 posts)if there are not extenuating circumstances. I think I read Britain has a fine as well, like 25 Pounds
cherokeeprogressive
(24,853 posts)Unless you can prove you voted, that is.
L. Coyote
(51,129 posts)DavidDvorkin
(19,477 posts)Oh, wait. I'm retired.