Should Election Day be an official holiday?

[elperromagico]

This is a no-brainer, I think. But perhaps someone has a different view.

[Kal Belgarion]

1. It wouldn't totally fix the election turn-out problem

But it certainly couldn't hurt.

[elperromagico]

3. Well, it would eliminate an excuse.

Imagine how much easier it would be to respond to "I can't vote. I have to work all day!" with "No you don't."

[tinrobot]

2. Only if you vote!

You get the day off only if you vote.

[mitchtv]

4. my position exactly

present your "receipt"

[NinetySix]

5. I'd go even further.

Not only should it be a holiday, but all eligible voters should be required to show up at the polls under penalty of a $50 fine. Fifty bucks isn't going to make or break anyone, but the idea of being out fifty bucks is enough to get even the most apathetic poor people to the polls.

There should be a "No Preference" option for those who are really apathetic, but they should be compelled to mark it as a choice rather than simply avoid going to the polls. Transportation to and from the polling station should be provided by the state.

Some say voting is a privilege, namely those who would disagree with me on this. But it ain't, folks; read your Constitution if you don't believe me. The 15th Amendment specifically designates voting as the RIGHT of every citizen. But for democracy to work properly, it must be treated as a civic duty like serving on a jury.

[GreenPartyVoter]

6. It would be one of many things I would change, along with these

http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/electionreform.htm

[liberal N proud]

7. It would eliminate two road blocks

1. Employers could not intimidate employees from voting
2. Younger people could volunteer to work either for the campaing or the election board. Currently most polls are manned by 70-80 year old people, God Bless them but if there is problems they are helpless.

[Kal Belgarion]

8. Jim Bohannan has a great solution!

Jim Bohannan has an idea on how to fix the low voter-turnout problem. The state with the highest voter turn-out gets a reduction in federal taxes for the next year, while the state with the lowest turn-out has to make up the difference. :)

[eridani]

9. Make the 1st Monday in November an election day holiday n/t

[tritsofme]

11. Great way to plan a long weekend!

Why bother voting when you can spend the last nice weekend of the year out on the lake?

I don't think people should be voting unless they make the special effort to do it by themselves.

[Bush was AWOL]

10. If you intend to vote you should have the day off of work

[Placebo]

12. YES!!! And If They Won't Agree To That...

then at least allow people in all 50 states to vote 24 hours a day, for 7 days; one week.

This "Only vote on one day and only until 6 or 7pm" business is evil.