During the 2016 presidential election, less than 56% of the estimated voting-age population in the US voted. All federal elections take place the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Why or why not? Even people youd expect to know, like politicians, have been stumped by this very question. Mail-in voting starts 1 month before polls open. All this despite the fact that these types of restrictions have typically been considered illegal under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which requires that elections be equally open to all people. In Switzerland, only one canton (or member state) requires voting; it is voluntary all other cantons of the country. And so while it's very understandable that people are trying to find ways to make it more convenient for people to vote, it's very likely that Election Day as a national holiday would actually hurt the voters who most need more options," Becker said. While no state has proposed reinstating the literacy tests, poll taxes, and grandfather clauses that effectively ended the burst of African-American franchise during Reconstruction, todays efforts to disenfranchise minority voters are similarly unsubtle. Think about it. Elections to the European Parliament take place over a period of four days (i.e., Thursday through to Sunday), according to the election days of the EU members states (as listed above). In-person polls open Sunday at 12:01am, close Saturday at 11:59pm. Modern life operates around the clock. Others say a holiday would disadvantage low-income and blue collar workers and corporations should have better policies for voting time off. In addition to honoring the sacrifices veterans have made, it would remind Americans that voting is a national duty, an obligation both to one another and to the nation; and it would strengthen American democratic political culture, by way of new rituals and traditions, Jill Lepore a Harvard professor of American history wrote in an essay for Politico. February 26, 2023, 5:06 AM. A cemetery posted a personal ad for a goose whose mate died. ], ProCon.org, "Election Day National Holiday Top 3 Pros and Cons,", ProCon.org, "Election Day National Holiday Top 3 Pros and Cons. Common reasons for a certain day are the date on which a state or country achieved its independence, or the date of the country's patron saint day. ], [Editors Note: The MLA citation style requires double spacing within entries. Virginia joined these states in April this year. Of the nonvoters surveyed by the US Census Bureau about the 2008 presidential election, the 2012 presidential election, and numerous other elections, the most commonly cited reason for not voting was being too busy or having conflicting work schedules. And she thinks corporate America has been leading the way, pointing out several businesses, including Walmart and Coca-Cola, that have announced paid time off and other accommodations to make voting easier for employees on November 3. This article is about the general term "election day" worldwide. Four more states only provide time off for biennial, even-year elections: Delaware, Louisiana, Michigan and New Hampshire. He thinks the increased options afforded by early and mail-in voting could be undermined by making Election Day a holiday, creating "a solution in search of a problem.". As of mid-May Republicans in 48 states have introduced 389 bills that would reduce the hours polls are open; forbid people from eating or drinking while waiting in line to vote; close voter registration on Sundays, when Black churches traditionally have organized their members to register and vote; repeal no excuse absentee voting; and create a long list of other barriers to voting. That too is a reminder as to how new many of the ideas from that century, such as full enfranchisement and national self-determination, really are. There's nothing that would stop voters here from treating a Democracy Day like just another day off.". Managing Editor Here is the relevant passage from Acts 28: Other countries may only require it of certain people, and otherwise make it voluntary for others. The US isn't the only developed country that faces this criticism, however. Some countries, about 27 of them, make voting compulsory. John M. Cunningham, "Why Are U.S. Tuesday was chosen because it was most convenient for farmers traveling by horse and buggy at the time. October 26, 2020 / 10:57 AM Vanita Gupta, CEO of the Leadership Conference on Human and Civil Rights, is working to increase voter participation and decrease voter disenfranchisement. In the United States, it varies from state to state and even county to county, so the idea that one entire country might use the same voting method is actually pretty unique to Americans! Election Day in the United States is the annual day for general elections of federal public officials.It is statutorily set by the U.S. government as "the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November", i.e. Additionally, many of these individuals rely on school days as childcare for their children. Sunday: the second Sunday of March for Congress, and the second Sunday of May for President and Vice President. So, workers having a day off to vote wouldn't be a disruption to the economy, or anything a citizen of our country could deny would be worthwhile and smart thing to do. Election Day isn't a national holiday in the US, but some people think it should be. Runoffs take place on the last Sunday of the same October. Canada's turnout is about the same as the United States', with an average of 68%, and though one canton in Switzerland has a compulsory voting law, for the country as a whole turnout is around 49%, one of the lowest rates in OECD countries. "With the variety of challenges that election officials face, [making Election Day a holiday] is well down on the list of those things that need to be addressed," Becker said. For more information on how to vote, head over to our TurboVote module. 2) Most other countries are shaped by relatively recent revolutions. 4) The outliers are few but tell you a lot about those . Should the United States Use the Electoral College in Presidential Elections? Examine this opinion article from Evil HR Lady Suzanne Lucas on why election day should not be a national holiday. At the top of his list: making Election Day a national holiday. 1, which adds a new paid holiday for federal employees every other year. Delaware, Hawaii, Kentucky, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, Rhode Island and New York have also made Election Day into a state holiday. Election Day - Tuesday, Nov. 8 - is a special day, with voters casting ballots across the country. Arizona, for example, allows employees who do not have three consecutive hours before or after work when the polls are open to take paid time off to vote at the start or end of their work days. Early voting for the midterms varies by state. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. [31][32] Trying one of these alternatives would avoid the negative economic impact of closing businesses for Election Day. [33], Henry Farber, PhD, Hughes-Rogers Professor of Economics at Princeton University, conducted an analysis of states that made Election Day a holiday for state employees. Update: Some readers think that Ireland should also be considered an outlier, as St. Patrick's Day is often considered its primary "national day" and is not really an independence or revolution day. While countries like Belgium, Sweden, and Turkey saw more than 80% of their estimated voting-age population cast votes in recent elections, less than 56% of the estimated voting-age population. The pros and cons of the felon voting debate include arguments about the social contract, voting while in prison, and paying debts. Should People Who Have Completed Felony Sentences Be Allowed to Vote? Election officials in various states have predicted historic levels of turnout in 2020, with a chance to reach the highest ever. Rupak De Chowdhuri/Reuters. Sometimes, specific ballot measures can influence voter turnout: in the UK, the Brexit vote resulted in a 72% turnout, slightly higher than the average of 69%. "And we actually have more options than ever before.". 2. Common reasons for a certain day are the date on which a state or country achieved its independence, or the date of the country's patron saint day. A 2018 Pew survey found that the majority of Americans (65%) would be in favor of turning Election Day into a national holiday that includes 71% of Democratic-leaning voters and 59% of Republican-leaning voters. Change often comes slowly, subtly. Theyare still considerably higher than in the United States, which typically sees about 65% on average turn out to vote for major elections. These include national, state, and local government representatives at all levels up to the president. In some states where they don't have mail-in ballots, voting can take a lot of time out of the day. Why Election Day is Held on a Tuesday in November in the U.S. A Boatload of Ballots: Midterm Voter Turnout Hit 50-Year High, Estonia's i-voting: more secure, more popular, Macedonia referendum: Low voter turnout puts country's name change at risk, What Voting and Elections Look Like Around the World, X Marks the Choice: Voting Methods around the World, Defense Language and National Security Education Office. Furthermore, making this small shift would celebrate the purpose and sacrifice of our fighting forces. In Estonia, a national ID card (required for every citizen in the country) can be used to vote remotely. As for Denmark, it has a national liberation day and some people celebrate international worker's day, but neither is a public holiday. Or is it an optimistic idea that would exclude already disadvantaged voters while failing to increase turnout? Here are five reasons why Election Day should be a national holiday. In a number of states, polling places have been closed in minority neighborhoods, which has created long lines and tremendous inconvenience for affected votersinconvenience with a cost, especially for those paid hourly wages. Saturday, but can be any day of the week, such as when a Saturday conflicts with a holiday. Some countries, about 27 of them,make voting compulsory. They stated, Citizen Day would do more than give our democracy the honor that it deserves; it would help our democracy work better. Plus, some experts say moving to weekend voting could substantially increase the cost of running elections. These numbers also may be indicative of higher turnout for major elections, but may not reflect engagement in local or regional elections. [31] Same-day registration boosts turnout by 5%, and universal implementation of it would have added as many as 4.8 million voters in the 2016 election, according to Danielle Root, JD, and Liz Kennedy, JD, from the Center for American Progress. In many countries, general elections are always held on a Saturday or Sunday, to enable as many voters as possible to participate; while in other countries elections are always held on a weekday.However, some countries, or regions within a country, which hold elections on a weekday declare election day a public holiday. Essential reporting and analysis from correspondents around the world. The United States is out of step with the rest of the world: elections are held on weekends in 27 of the 36 OECD countries. TOP QUESTION Nine states classify general elections as holidays: Florida, Hawaii, Maryland, Montana, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island and Virginia. "If I had my way, and I think it is really important, every . Omissions? A large Democratic voting rights bill that would have made Election Day a national holiday collapsed in the Senate this year when two senators refused to join their own party in changing. The result is voter turnout rates of 72.3% and 77.2% respectively, which is 26-32% higher than the United States. Keep in mind that in the mid-1800s, the U.S. was largely an agricultural society. [ 17] Countries such as France, Mexico, and India also observe federal holidays for elections. And I think on Election Day we should have a national holiday which says, 'you don't have to rush to vote.' In 2018, the general election was held on Wednesday. Indigenous Peoples Day is a local and state holiday in some parts of the country usually held on Columbus Day that celebrates the cultures of Native Americans. While these provisions represent major steps in the right direction, they are not enough. Election Day in the United States of America is the Tuesday following the first Monday in November. Experts told CBS News that it's no coincidence this is occurring in a year when Americans have more time and more ways to vote than ever before. Younger generations are also more likely to participate in political discussions online, which shows that a move towards digitizing the political and voting processes may not be too far off. Proponents say the Electoral College ensures everyone selects the president. So, since this effort does not receive bipartisan support, it is difficult to enact.. And there is no better way to secure democracy than to ensure that everyone has not only the right to vote, but also the meaningful opportunity to cast their ballots. Last Tuesday was election day in the United States, and this year we voted in the midterm elections. People literally cannot get to the polling booth because it may close at 7 o'clock and they're working later. These changes would send a strong rebuke to those who are attempting to scale back voting rights and make it more difficult for African-Americans and Latinos to vote. [6] Election Day could be made a holiday if a bill were passed by the House and Senate then signed into law by the president. But they never go far and die in committee without a vote. For example, in Ecuador, only literate citizens between 18 and 65 are required to vote; those over 65 or who are not literateare not required. 1. First Sunday of July until 2018. Over 60 court cases reviewed the evidence and judgesappointed by both Republican and Democratic presidents alikereached the same conclusion: there was no compelling evidence of fraud. Other countries take heroic efforts to ensure that people can vote if they desire. NOW WATCH: Arianna Huffingtons advice to Hillary Clinton, the majority of US states have voter leave laws, You can take time off from work to vote in 30 states here's the full list, voted during the 2016 presidential election, experts say such a scheme is unlikely to fly in the US, The evolution of American voting rights in 242 years shows how far we've come and how far we still have to go, In an interview with President Barack Obama in 2016. Election day or polling day is the day on which general elections are held. Yet, few of us, especially those who have worked on Capitol Hill, harbor . By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider A Pew Research Center analysis finds that 27 of the 36 member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development hold their national elections on the weekend, . Should election day be made a national holiday? Elections Held on Tuesdays?, britannica.com (accessed Sep. 30, 2019), Evan Andrews, "Election 1010: Why Do We Vote on a Tuesday in November?, history.com, Aug. 31, 2018, Grace Panetta and Olivia Reaney, "Today Is National Voter Registration Day. The COVID-19 pandemic convinced. [8][15] A holiday for elections sidesteps the issue of a weekend election, which could conflict with religious obligations. [14], Pew Research Center found that 71% of Democrats and 59% of Republicans support making Election Day a federal holiday. Roughly 138 million Americans voted in the 2016 presidential election, just 61.4% of the 214,109,360 million who were registered to vote, according to The U.S. Election Assistance Commission. Start the discussion over on our Facebook page, and let us know about civic engagement in your town, state, or country! Traditionally elections are held over two days, starting on a Friday afternoon and ending the following Saturday afternoon. 0:00. Stay up to date with what you want to know. And in Australia, there is a fine. Most recently, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont proposed a bill to designate "Democracy Day" as a national election holiday, which sits before a special committee. WASHINGTON, June 24 (Reuters) - Election Day should be a holiday for workers in the United States, President Joe Biden said on Thursday. This is the day we cast ballots to select public officials from local to the national government. Incidentally, Australia routinely reaches more than 90 percent voter turnout, compared to the United States, where average voter turnout in presidential elections since 1965 has been only 54%. As Congress continues to grapple with voting rights legislation this week, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) has used his considerable influence as the Senates key swing vote to set the terms of the debate. Not only would making Election Day a federal holiday increase voter turnout among Americans, which is something that politicians and citizens in general complain about often, but it . As for Denmark, it has a national liberation day and some people celebrate international worker's day, but neither is a public holiday. Here are the proper bibliographic citations for this page according to four style manuals (in alphabetical order): [Editor's Note: The APA citation style requires double spacing within entries. 2020, Virginia. Many other democracies make election day a holiday and they all have higher voter turnout than we do. Incidentally, Australia routinely reaches more than 90. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Washington's Birthday Memorial Day Flag Day Independence Day Constitution Day Election Day Veterans Day Bill of Rights Day Martin Luther King Jr. Day Martin Luther King, Jr. Day takes place on third Monday of January each year, near the time of Dr. King's birthday on January 15th. If you make election day a federal holiday, youll have all the people who work in these types of jobs still having to work, being inundated with customers who have the day off and they wont have child care because the schools will be closed, Suzanne Lucas, who previously worked in human resources, wrote in a piece for Inc.com. Again, it is not clear that this is demonstrably true but it is a widespread perception. Holidays, law.cornell.edu (accessed Sep. 30, 2019), Matthew Haag, "Mitch McConnell Calls Push to Make Election Day a Holiday a Democratic Power Grab," nytimes.com, Jan. 31, 2019, Drew DeSilver, "U.S. Trails Most Developed Countries in Voter Turnout, pewresearch.org, May 21, 2018, Gustavo Lpez and Antonio Flores, "Dislike of Candidates or Campaign Issues Was Most Common Reason for Not Voting in 2016, pewresearch.org, June 1, 2017, Beau C. Tremitiere, "Election Day Should Be a National Holiday, cnbc.com, July 5, 2016, York Dispatch Editorial Board, "Editorial: On Voting, GOP Takes a Holiday from its Senses, yorkdispatch.com, Feb. 1, 2019, Tacey Rychter, "How Compulsory Voting Works: Australians Explain," nytimes.com, Nov. 5, 2018, Archon Fung and Jane Mansbridge, "Lets Vote, Party and Celebrate American Democracy on a New Holiday Called Citizen Day, usatoday.com, Oct. 26, 2018, Thomas MacMillan, "This Might Be the Best Idea for Turning out More Voters in U.S. Elections, nymag.com, July 8, 2017, Drew Desilver, "Weekday Elections Set the U.S. apart from Many Other Advanced Democracies, pewresearch.org, Nov. 6, 2018, Kathy Frankovic, "St. Patricks Day Not So Popular - Americans Would Rather Election Day a Holiday, today.yougov.com, Mar.
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