Should election day be a national holiday?

[Uncle Joe]

Here is a thread discussing three hour waits in Denver, maybe your experience in other parts of the nation have been similar.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2936133&mesg_id=2936133


This begs the question, should the American People be given a day off to make one of the most important decisions of their lives and elect their national leaders?

[Frank Cannon]

1. Let's get rid of Columbus Day and make ED a holiday

I never have understood why a psychotic conquistador who didn't even know what part of the world he was in was given a holiday. Let's get rid of that ridiculous celebration and have a day that celebrates a truly American institution--Democracy!

[moose65]

5. Good idea!

Columbus Day is a non-holiday in the South, anyway! I'd support that, and I think October is a better month than November for elections, anyway. The weather can be pretty rotten in the Northeast and in the Rockies in November!

[dogman]

2. A mandatory holiday with only vital services allowed to work.

Close the malls and restaurants. Also mandate a reasonable time to vote plan for those who must work. There is no day more important to this nation.

[goddess40]

10. That would free up a lot of good people to work the polls

There isn't much money in it but it's a long day. Most of our poll workers are retired people and working 12-14 hours is too long.

[MercutioATC]

3. Elections should be three day events...Saturday, Sunday, and a Federal holiday on Monday.

Some people have to work on Federal holidays. Making it a three-day thing over the weekend with Monday also being a day to vote would solve about 99% of the problem, IMO.

[Uncle Joe]

6. This makes sense to me

:thumbsup:

[bemildred]

4. Hell yes, what is more important in a democratic nation? nt

[Selatius]

7. Hell fucking yeah, after reading all the crap with too few machines and long lines

For too many workers, they have very little leeway with missing a half-day's worth of work to vote.

Honestly, I don't know why the Democratic Congress in the 1980s and early 1990s didn't pursue this.

[rhiannon55]

8. Absolutely

[drdtroit]

9. Looking at the "No" votes (3), It seems that

Bush, Cheney and Karl have been lurking!

:patriot:

[blondeatlast]

11. With parades and picnics, too--what is worthy of more celebration than democracy? nt

[Uncle Joe]

12. This sounds like a good idea.

I believe election day to be our true birthday, with the Fourth of July being our day of conception, maybe this why we have all the fireworks.:)

[marigold20]

13. Sure

A lot of people would be willing to work the polls if they had the day off. The old ladies could take shorter shifts. An excellent idea.