California bill would make Election Day a state holiday

[alp227]

Source: San Jose Mercury News

SACRAMENTO – Many Californians would no longer have to worry about squeezing a trip to the polls into their working day if a bill proposed by a Silicon Valley-area lawmaker becomes law.

Assembly Bill 674, from Evan Low, D-Cupertino, would make November general elections a holiday for schools and state workers as a way to boost voter turnout. Private businesses would not be required to close, but Low said he hoped many would choose to give their employees the day off.

“I think this will ensure that more people will be able to participate in the electoral process,” Low said in an interview Thursday.

Read more: http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/02/16/california-bill-would-make-election-day-a-state-holiday/

[still_one]

1. California makes voting absentee extremely easy also

[SleeplessinSoCal]

12. which is a major reason it takes weeks to tally. n/t

[still_one]

19. I have no problem with that, because they insure that every vote counts

[tenorly]

2. California showing the way once again.

And in this case, by following the example of most of the rest of the developed world - and many developing countries - that have made their federal election days a national holiday (or hold these on a Sunday) for decades.

[calimary]

13. Yes indeedy!

[Hortensis]

25. Yes! Election Day SHOULD be a national holiday.

One day in the middle of the typical workweek to honor and focus on it with ceremonies, concerts and picnics in public squares and parks, parades and plays full of local children showing off what they're learning about being citizens in a democratic republic. And so on.

Hope it passes.

[tenorly]

26. Republicans would rather sacrifice a first-born and let their mistresses have the baby than allow it

Then again, most of them probably already have. I need more examples.

[Hortensis]

29. I remember when hard-core conservative usually

meant hard-core patriot. Many of their faults were all too obvious and obnoxious, but I never ever suspected their patriotism and pride in how they saw America was something that could be turned on by one leader and turned off by another.

[tenorly]

30. Same here.

Now it just means hateful misanthrope and/or sociopath.

[Hekate]

3. KnR

[Retrograde]

4. Given that over half of Californians

vote either early or by mail, this seems more like grandstanding than a practical idea. We already can vote 30 days in advance, and request mail-in ballots (and some counties already pay the postage - including the one Mr. Low represents (which had an 83% turnout in the last election, BTW)). A holiday isn't going to increase turnout, given the already low obstacles to voting.

[Doreen]

6. Well, If people have the day off they could set up

huge voting parties. Snacks and prizes for both adults and kids. Bring your ballots here and fill them out and put them in the voting box and enjoy. People usually enjoy parties and if widely advertised ahead of time that might work. Make it very clear that it is not meant for one candidate or another because it is just a voting party. Just a thought.

[Midnight Writer]

15. Exactly! Fairs and live shows and food festivals. Let's make voting an event. I like it.

Draw folk out to an event (like a music fest) and then having voting facilities available.

Sounds good to me.

[Doreen]

24. Like I said though we need ALL parties feel welcome.

This is about getting people to vote period not vote for a certain person or party.

[global1]

9. Lighten Up Retrograde.....

take a bow for being a Californian and putting this out there. It could snowball into happening all around the country.

See my other post in this thread about the possible great outcomes that can result if California pulls this off.

My hats off to your State!!!!

[Silver Gaia]

11. I agree! And as a Californian, I will be happy to see us lead the way!

[Retrograde]

16. The proposed law only affects state employees

and students. Most of the voters don't fall into those categories. I'd rather see the state go to all mail-in voting, but we already have provisions making it possible for people to vote prior to election day. I sincerely doubt a holiday is going to get more people to participate when a month-long early voting process doesn't.

As for other states, they would do well to adopt California's - or even Oregon's - procedures.

[C Moon]

5. That's awesome! Election day bbq's, election day Twilight zone marathons, election day celebrations!

Love it!

[ProudLib72]

7. It' a very good idea

for the rest of the country. Cali, however, doesn't even need it. I just hope their example is followed by other states.

[global1]

8. Every Blue State Should Follow California's Lead On This And Do The Same.....

It accomplishes four things:

1. It makes it easy for people to get out and vote

2. It is an great rebut to all the voter suppression tricks that the Repugs pull

3. It puts pressure on the Repug states to do the same or they would be made to look like they don't want people to vote

4. It could put pressure on Congress then to make Presidential Election Day a national holiday


We need to encourage this around the country. This is such a great move on the part of California


Kudos to Californian!!!!!!

I encourage all DU'ers here to K&R this thread. Let's get the ball rolling around the country.

[cstanleytech]

10. They need to setup the voting so its over a 2 week period imo.

The votes are not counted until the final day but the casting of them is stretched out for 2 weeks that way you make it difficult for any company to deliberately schedule its workers so they wont have the time to vote.

[Retrograde]

17. We already have that, and have had for years

Early voting in California starts a month before a general election day. In addition, all voters in California can request mail-in ballots, or elect to become permanent mail-in voters.

[cstanleytech]

18. I'm talking about the polling stations, they should set them up for 2 weeks. nt

[alp227]

34. Good luck getting schools to commit TWO WEEKS.

Again, CA voters who want to do it early can do so by mail, including drop offs at county offices or designated places.

[cstanleytech]

35. I honestly dont see a problem with it as they wouldnt need to set aside as large an area as they do

currently for the people wanting to vote.
All it would take would be a single classroom or even a trailer or tent.

[halobeam]

14. We need paper ballots only.

We need redistricting. We need to shut down CrossCheck. We need independent oversight for all of this. We were hacked top and down the ticket. How can any sane person believe in the integrity of their vote after all that has happened?

It's great that California is looking to make it a state holiday, it's needed too, but I think the order in addressing what needs to be done for the next election is a bit screwed up.

[BumRushDaShow]

20. Philly used to have it as a holiday years ago

but that was taken away when they went from 17 holidays to the standard (federal) 10. They really need to consider it nationwide. Maybe replace Columbus Day with Election Day (for the general) if there is an insistence on capping holidays at 10.

[Nitram]

21. It should be declared a federral holiday, too.

[Nitram]

22. You know, I love this idea. but I worry people will take a vacation instead of voting.

We should follow the lead of a few other countries and make voting required by law for every eligible citizen.

[MichMan]

27. So arrest or fine them if they don't vote ? n/m

[Nitram]

37. A fine will do. It's a civic duty that every citizen is required to do.

Get a day off to vote and it becomes your duty to vote on that day. Or else just let the Repubs whittle down the liberal electorate to nothing.

[MichMan]

39. Maybe you could even garnish SS checks of seniors and the disabled?

Can't believe anyone would be in favor of fining people for exercising their right not to vote. Frankly, there are a lot of people that are uninformed enough that maybe shouldn't be voting.

[IntraPolitico]

23. Great news!

We are in dire need of a holiday!

[MichMan]

28. Wonder how many would plan other activities instead of voting ?

I wonder what % of people given the day off as a holiday, would plan leisure activities instead of voting ?

[Blue Idaho]

31. Now they just need to make releasing taxes a prerequisit

Of getting on a primary ballot. No disclosure - no campaign in the golden state.

[marlakay]

32. I think this would make it harder for a lot

Of people. Parents who could use kids at school as a time to vote would lose that and kids are not going to stand patiently in line for hours.

I agree with the person who said all mail in for entire state with easy drop off boxes at libraries that charge no stamps.

[threethirteen]

33. Eh, people are still gonna want to get their coffee, shop, and go out to eat.

And those are the peeps that need the day off to vote.

[Rhiannon12866]

36. K&R! Excellent idea!

And I agree that election day should be a national holiday, anything to improve voter turnout. :fistbump;

[nocalflea]

38. home sweet home

'bout damn time