Why hasn't there been a bill that every four years during an election

[Catfight]

year, we all get the day off to vote?

[tridim]

1. Because Republicans don't want

Democrats to vote. It's as simple as that.

[Cats Against Frist]

11. True Story & not just Republicans

The entire Dem and GOP establishments don't want any people's voting revolts.

As part of my poli sci project, I planned "voting day" as a kegger. Day off, free beer. Freedom!!!!

[Democrat 4 Ever]

2. Because the last thing the repugs would want is a bunch of Dems voting

They like the idea that many of the people who would vote Democratic are the same ones who are working two and three jobs to get by, the fewer of those guys hitting the ballot box the better for the "Trust Fund Babies" and the rest of the people who would support them.

Just a theory.

[captainjack]

3. good call. but would more people actually vote if they got a day off?

or would they catch up on their jerry springer episode backlog and finish off that 6 pack?

[Catfight]

4. That's not the point, the point is to support voting by granting a day

off every four years to exercise either the right to vote or the right to not vote (which is stupid, but hey, I'm not a person who doesn't vote.) I think if a Democrat would at least write the bill and propose it, that would be a start, let the repugs fight it.

[Iceburg]

5. In Canada, employees are entitled to 3 hours to cast their vote

Canada Election Act
...
Time to Employees for Voting
132. (1) Every employee who is an elector is entitled, during voting hours on polling day, to have three consecutive hours for the purpose of casting his or her vote and, if his or her hours of work do not allow for those three consecutive hours, his or her employer shall allow the time for voting that is necessary to provide those three consecutive hours.

[Radio-Active]

6. why ever four years? why not every year?

I think it's important people vote EVERY year!

[krkaufman]

8. Yep, every year.

And the time-off wouldn't just be for voting; it would also enable many more to participate in the elections, volunteering to monitor polling places, assisting voters to the polls, etc.

[Warpy]

7. Acutally, niether party much wants working people to vote.

That's one of the dirtist secrets in DC. Also, early voting in 30 states has made the issue irrelevant in those states.

Making the day a holiday would likely result in more newspaper circulars the preceding Sunday, as few retail outlets would honor the holiday. Healthcare, police, firefighters, and other essential services would not get the holiday, either.

The holiday might benefit some white collar and office workers, but that's about all.

Early and absentee voting are the ways to go, I think, spreading the election out over a week or two. That allows most people to vote on their days off, as few of us have the luxury of being 9 to 5, Monday through Friday workers these days.

In those states that restrict voting to just one day, on a Tuesday when most folks are working, absentee ballots are the way to go. Perhaps voting registration might also be liberalized to allow people to vote near the workplace instead of near their homes, something that is impossible for many people who have long commutes.

No solution is going to please everyone. The system of one day of voting, on a workday, far from one's workplace, is obviously unworkable, although I have a sneaking suspicion that people even in those regressive states will find a way this year.

[AntiCoup2K4]

9. It should be a mandatory holiday - or at least half day.

I don't think the high turnout at the Lousiana runoffs - which occur on SATURDAYS - is any coincidence.

Maybe that would be a solution. Though it brings up a question for the Jews and/or 7th day adventists in the audience. If voting DID take place on a Saturday, would that be prohibited by your observance of the Sabbath?

Because if so, that might be a bad idea, given the percentage of the Jewish vote that's usually on our side.

[stevebreeze]

10. why not vote on a Saturday?

of course many people work then too, but not as many. Require no excuses early voting.
Another pet peeve of mine.
Why not have all states do same day registration? WI MN as several other do. We have computers now we could do this with almost no fear of voter fraud.. It's as was posted here several time the pols and especially the GOP don't want people to vote.