Should Election Day be a US national holiday?

[Alexander]

[MissB]

1. We have vote-by-mail in our state, so I don't see the point.

Accessiblity is already there.

[Donnachaidh]

5. It would make it easier for those who cannot get to the polls due to work

That would get rid of an excuse, as well as allow those who want to, but don't have the time.

Regardless of what my area has - it's good for the entire country to have this.

[porphyrian]

2. No one should be penalized for time away from work used to vote.

If that means a holiday, sure.

[panader0]

3. I'm a working man. I don't get any holidays except for

Christmas and Thanksgiving. Every time there's a federal holiday, the banks, etc, close. People get paid days off. I guess I'm just jealous. LOL

[tridim]

4. The only thing I worry about is Holiday = BBQs, family outings, etc

The last thing non-political Americans would do on a day off is vote.

More than one day would be a nice start.

[Alexander]

7. If it's vote-by-mail, they don't have to vote on Election Day...

But the folks standing in line during work hours like the people in Ohio in 2004 wouldn't be penalized for doing their civic duty.

[Kazak]

10. Yeah, I bet you could even get the slackers to show up to vote if...

...you give 'em like a week off or something. :thumbsup:

[VP505]

6. I don't know

about election day being a designated holiday, but I would definitely like to see the polls open on a Saturday AND Sunday rather than one 12 hour work day.

[anakie]

8. What about on a Saturday??

all elections in Australia are held on Saturdays - on a paper ballot.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

15. In Brazil, it's on Sundays. -nt

[MrSlayer]

9. Absolutely.

It's already a holiday in my union. Everyone gets the day off to vote and work the polls.

[Yukari Yakumo]

11. No.

Only federal and state jobs would be affected.

This would be a pointless maneuver.

[tammywammy]

12. Agreed

They are the only people that would actually get a holiday off work.

[madokie]

13. complete with parades, yes the whole nine yards

[stevedeshazer]

14. Hell yes, it should be a three-day weekend

Turning in your PAPER ballot should qualify you for a $100 TAX CREDIT.

And it should be in the Northern Hemisphere summer. November sucks.

How about Labor Day?

And how about PAPER BALLOTS?

[sniffa]

16. no

not onLy do i think it won't increase voter turnout, i think it wouLd drasticaLLy Lessen voter participation from what it is now. the miniscuLe number of peopLe who wouLd now vote because of the hoLiday wouLd be dwarfed by the number of reguLar voters using that day to go on a vacation.

i aLways make the effort to vote whether i'm in the area or not, and everyone has that option. it's a right we have and it shouLdn't be taken for granted as much as it is.

[B Calm]

17. Hell yes it should be! Employers should be forced into honoring the holiday!

[Kansas Wyatt]

18. Yes, and must be moved to Monday.

[-..__...]

19. If an election day is on a day I'm scheduled to work...

I'll vote by absentee ballot.

[Selatius]

20. No. Simply transition to vote by mail, using Oregon as a model.