pros and cons of making election day a national holiday
Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. She says thats especially important right now with more voters casting absentee ballots. Colleges should have already canceled Election Day classes. While these provisions represent major steps in the right direction, they are not enough. Election Day Holiday., For purposes of any law relating to Federal employment, the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November in 2020 and each even-numbered year thereafter shall be treated in the same manner as a legal public holiday described in section 6103 of title 5, United States Code., It is the sense of Congress that private employers in the United States should give their employees a day off on the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November in 2020 and each even-numbered year thereafter to enable the employees to cast votes in the elections held on that day., Leave it to a House bill-writer to use 98 words when eight will suffice: Were giving you the day off to vote.. As the chart shows, presidential turnout corresponds with midterm turnout and in 2018, turnout skyrocketed from 36.7% four years previously to 49.6%. But other solutions would more reliably increase turnout. Low 38F. It is very, very hard to change core American traditions.. In 2016, there were about 245 million Americans 18 and older, according to Pew Research, and only 56% of them voted in the Donald-Trump-vs.-Hillary-Clinton throwdown. Others have suggested making Veterans Day (Nov. 11), which is already a paid national holiday, Election Day. The decision was made taking into account farmers, a large portion of the voting constituency at the time, who would not have been able to travel to polling places in winter months or during planting or harvest times. Over time, voting rights expanded from only white, male landowners age 21 and older to includewomenandpeople of color, as well as citizensage 18 and up, resulting in a dramatic increase in the voting-eligible population and a shift in voter demographics. Consider how you felt about the issue before reading this article. Should the Voting Age Be Lowered to 16? Examine this opinion article from Evil HR Lady Suzanne Lucas on why election day should not be a national holiday. Partly cloudy skies. And if they get sick on Monday, the day before the election theyre not trying to get an emergency ballot, or something like that. Under normal political circumstances, more Americans follow the race to the World Series than to the White House. 13 . However, it wasnt until recently that the idea gained any traction in Congress. Cons: Private employers are not required to give their employees federal holidays anyways. I invite you to follow me onTwitter:@hooverwhalen, This is a BETA experience. Yes, its true Americas voting age is lower than some other developed countries. Sweden came second with 82.6%. That nations turnout in 2017s national election was only 46%(you want to get the Swiss fired up, put a contentious idea in front of them a vote vote tojoin the EEA in 1992brought out 79%; the 2016 vote todeport foreign criminals, 63%). Thats not to say no one has tried. Winds light and variable.. Below are the proper citations for this page according to four style manuals (in alphabetical order): the Modern Language Association Style Manual (MLA), the Chicago Manual of Style (Chicago), the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), and Kate Turabian's A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (Turabian). And it will, in turn, help strengthen the idea that businesses can and will come together for a worthy common purpose: protecting our democracy by empowering all American workers to be good citizens. [30], Solutions such as automatic voter registration, same-day registration, early voting, no-excuse absentee voting, restoring voting rights to former felons, improved civics education, and voter outreach would all improve voter participation more reliably than a national holiday. [1], Over time, voting rights expanded from only white, male landowners age 21 and older to include women and people of color, as well as citizens age 18 and up, resulting in a dramatic increase in the voting-eligible population and a shift in voter demographics. The second Trump vote could reach those levels. HR 1, also known as the For The People Act.. Countries that have weekend or holiday elections do tend to have better turnout overall. 1. 4. Carlson calls on Minnesotans to oppose sulfide mining, Local View: The stories of spring, other seasons, play out in the night sky, In Response: Expensive or not, Minnesota a good place to do business, The beginning of the rest of their lives: Powwow recognizes Fond du Lac graduates and more, Lake Superior Medical Equipment relocates to West Duluth after fire, Minnesota DNR, feds sign agreement over logging in wildlife areas, Special Olympics return to Northland after 3 years. Last week his office released a list of voting rights provisions he would support. 2. Part of HuffPost Home & Living. To access extended pro and con arguments, sources, and discussion questions about whether Election Day should be a national holiday, go to ProCon.org. Local View: Former Gov. On WDETs Detroit Today with Stephen Henderson, Benson emphasized that making Election Day a holiday would make it easier toattractmore election workers. Really? 12, 2019, Ceylan Pumphrey, "Do Businesses Have to Give Federal Holidays Like Presidents Day Off?, blogs.findlaw.com, Feb. 14, 2018, Department of Labor, "Holiday Pay, dol.gov (accessed Sep. 23, 2019), Peggy Emch, "Is Holiday Pay Required by Law?, timesheets.com, 2013, Fast Casual, "Study: Why Hourly Workers Forced to Work Multiple Jobs, fastcasual.com, Apr. 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. Promotion of new political ideas. Such a change would mostly benefit white-collar workers instead of the lower-income workers its designed to help. If Election Day is a national holiday, would that mean the post office would be closed, she asked. WDET is here to keep you informed onessential information, news and resources related to COVID-19. The US ranks 26th out of 32 for voter turnout among Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries. Here are five reasons why Election Day should be a national holiday. Were a country thatll spend as much this year on ads for video games as presidential campaigns (around $5 billion, according to CNBC). People who work long shifts, juggle multiple jobs, Election Day Holiday.. It shouldnt all come down to just one day., Despite Olive Branch from Whitmer,GOPShowing No Interest in Cooperation in2021, A Michigan Reporters Harrowing Experience Inside Capitol DuringInsurrection, New Year Means New Democratic Majority on State SupremeCourt. What other improvements could be made to voting and Election Day? It would also blunt the impact of many of these baldly anti-democratic movesopening the doors to the house as Republicans attempt to shut the windows. Rose Marcario, CEO, stated, demonstrating your companys commitment to voting will reinforce how essential it is that every eligible voter shows up. 3. Cookie Notice WebPro: making election day a national holiday will increase voter turnout by enabling more people to vote. WebMore people would vote if Election Day was a national holiday. Veterans Day typically is about one week after Election Day so this would involve little disruption in terms of job schedules and monthly routines. [15] A survey showed that US adults would rather have a federal holiday on Election Day than on Christmas Eve, the Friday after Thanksgiving, or St. Patricks day. 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. If changes need to be made nationally, those changes should relate to job security and compensation. Approximately two million people who work 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. While making Election Day a national holiday or moving it to the weekend would by no means be a cure-all, it could be used in conjunction with other strategies like Protections for individuals with disabilities: The bill would address some of the biggest challenges to voting access that Americans with disabilities face. ProCon.org. Establishing Election Day as a holiday, taken together with the pending federal voting rights reforms, would go a long way towards stabilizing democracy and ensuring basic democratic rights. All rights reserved. In Australia, where voting is mandatory, elections are celebrated with parties and barbecues, resulting in turnout rates around 90 percent. If Election Day were a national holiday, how would you ensure hourly and low-income workers would get a chance to vote? [8], In the 2016 presidential election, 55.7% of the American voting-age population cast a ballot. But only 35% bothered to cast un bulletin de votein the second round of Frances parliamentary election (its what comes from loading the ticket with the likes of retired matadors and mathematical savants). Opponents say it allows only a few states to select the president. Many Americans know that Election Day is a Tuesday, but few know why. 20, 2018, Annie McDonald, "Ensuring Access to Election Day for All, bppj.berkely.edu, Nov. 6, 2018, Suzanne Lucas, "No, Election Day Should Not Be a Federal Holiday, inc.com, Oct. 24, 2016, Kenneth Quinnell, "Know Your Rights: State Laws on Employee Time off to Vote, aflicio.org, Nov. 5, 2016, Osita Nwanevu, "Maybe Making Election Day a National Holiday Wouldnt Really Work, slate.com, Nov. 3, 2016, Abigail Hess, "A Record 44% of US Employers Will Give Their Workers Paid Time off to Vote This Year, cnbc.com, Oct. 31, 2018, Make Time to Vote, homepage, maketimetovote.org (accessed Sep. 24, 2019), Rose Marcario, "Time to Vote, patagonia.com, Sep. 24, 2018, Danielle Root and Liz Kennedy, "Increasing Voter Participation in America, americanprogress.org, July 11, 2018, Kelly Born, "Increasing Voter Turnout: What, If Anything, Can Be Done?, ssir.org, Apr. Without this simple step toward turning out as many Americans as possible to vote, any reform will be incomplete. Chicago, Illinois 60654 USA, Natalie Leppard The question remains: is such a holiday good public policy? Plus, some experts say moving to weekend voting could substantially increase the cost of running elections. Dont believe me? For example, although most schools are closed anyway because theyre being used as polling places,not all of them are, which begs the question: If were going to be closing more schools and possibly daycares would that cause childcare problems that would actually make it harder for some people to vote? 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. May improve popularity of a candidate. But these days, Tuesdays are actually quite inconvenient for many Americans, particularly those who cant take time off work to cast their ballots a problem that disproportionately affects Black, Latino and lower-income voters. But experts say improving voter turnout is a complicated issue that no single silver bullet strategy can solve. [36]. Benson is dreaming big, and in doing so shes getting out in front of a lot of the conspiracy fueled calls for election reform from some Republicans. An additional day off school would prove to be problematic for individuals who may not have other readily accessible forms of childcare. [24], People who have already suffered significant disenfranchisement, such as women and people of color, are more likely to be working those low-income jobs that wouldnt get the time off to vote even on a national holiday. Veterans deserve a day that stands on its own without the distractions that come with arriving at the polls and casting votes. Rationality and coherent argument are encouraged, whereas ideological flamewars are strongly discouraged. List two to three ways. Because of the pandemic, more U.S. voters are exploring alternatives to voting on Election Day, such as early voting and mail-in voting. . If that level of participation gnaws at you, then consider: turnout for UKs Brexit vote was a shade over 77%; while 67.9% of the French electorate turned out for 2017s presidential election. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Not me. 1. "Election Day National Holiday Top 3 Pros and Cons." Not useful if people have strong opinions. Pro/Con Arguments | Discussion Questions | Take Action | Sources | More Debates, Election Day in the United States has occurred on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November ever since President John Tyler signed an 1845 law establishing a specific voting day for the entire country. [27], Companies including Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Farmers Insurance, Kaiser Permanente, Patagonia, and Walmart have joined Make Time to Vote campaign, which encourages employers to provide paid time off, schedule no meetings on Election Day, and give information on mail-in ballots and early voting. Approximately two million people who work for the federal government would be given a paid day off, and private companies might follow suit. After all, what do our veterans fight for, if not for democracy itself? By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. It needs better voters, people who have some vague notion of what theyre voting for or against, not just people practicing identity politics or voting with their political tribe. It shouldnt all come down to just one day. Rochester Hills City Clerk Tina Barton. Instead of having the names spelled out, voters would pick between Oje Diben and Noladd Rumpt.. 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. When turnout is high, it becomes increasingly fruitless for politicians to play to their base in ways that allow a vocal minority to rule, which is how many American leaders currently operate. In India, for example, a polling place is required within two kilometers (about a mile) of every single person in the country of 1.4 billion. So, since this effort does not receive bipartisan support, it is difficult to enact.. Instead, lawmakers could simply move nearby Veterans Day to Election Day, emphasizing that voting is both a service to the country and a celebration of the rights and freedoms for which our servicemembers fight. Bensons proposal would make Election Day a state holiday, not a national holiday. And what happens to be at the top of the list? ], [Editors Note: The MLA citation style requires double spacing within entries. The bill would also effectively revive Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which requires states with a history of voter discrimination have all changes to their election laws approved by the federal government, updating the law in response to the Supreme Courts 2013 holding in Shelby County v. Holder. We would put in place automatic voter registration, same-day registration, extended voting days, Election Day as a National Holiday, and other reforms, including mandatory voting (vote or pay a moderate fine) as practiced in Australia, Belgium, and much of Latin America, with a None of the Above option that would trigger a new election if it wins. Litigation pending before the Supreme Court this term in Brnovich v. DNC, however, threatens to undermine this rule. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Mexico receive high voter turnout due to universal voting and time off. [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. It is very, very hard to change core American traditions which Americans see not only as propping up their democracy but perpetuating its legitimacy, he said. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. WebAt the opening of Congress this past January, House Democrats introduced a proposal to make Election Day a national holiday. States such as Georgia and Iowa already have passed restrictive measures and many others appear poised to do the same thing. Who wants more of the people who think professional wrestling is real or that 9/11 was an inside job to help pick the next president? In previous elections, that percentage was even higher. Some businesses may close, but their hourly paid employees will either have to use a PTO day or not get paid.. and our Elections are federal holidays in Singapore, which, when combined with mandatory voting, resulted in a voter turnout of 93.6% for the 2015 election of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Democratic rights are much easier to end than they are to restore, so the federal government must respond to the wave of voter suppression overtaking the states with decisive, expansive action. [email protected], 2023 Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. American election laws have been reformed before with minimal impact on voter turnout which remains low compared to other democracies around the world. The proposal to make Election Day a federal holiday is just one of a number of steps that could be taken to improve low turnout for U.S. elections. Hey, you know who really has high voter turnout? WebElection Day National Holiday; Electoral College; Lowering the Voting Age to 16; Voting Machines; Ronald Reagan; Bill Clinton; Election Day National Holiday: Top 3 Pros and Cons. John M. Cunningham, "Why Are U.S. If you feel you have received this message in error, please contact the customer support team at 1-833-248-7801. In fact, these voters may be more likely to have to work as a result of a federal election holiday, where they may have had time off previously on a random Tuesday in November. [9], Former Editor-in-Chief of the Northwestern University Law Review, Beau C. Tremitiere, JD, stated, The demands of school and work schedules keep millions of Americans, especially those with children or long commutes, from ever getting to their polling stations The ideal solution is simple: Congress should make Election Day a national holiday, or move Election Day to the weekend. [10] A holiday would allow more citizens volunteer at polling places or drive the elderly to vote, and make a difference in states where long lines at the polls keep voters waiting for hours. Even some Democrats are saying that it could have unintended consequences. Not everyone is jumping at the idea of making Election Day a state holiday, however. Benson also emphasized the preeminence that she says Election Day should have in our culture, that it should be a day of celebration of our civic duty to elect our leaders a celebration of democracy at a time when democracy is under real threat. And she said there are lots of other ways to do that like early, in-person voting. Approximately two million people who work for the federal government would be given a paid day off, and private companies might follow suit. Think of things such as voter ID laws, lowering the voting age, and abolishing the Electoral College. At the heart of the debate is voter turnout give more people the day off, more people will go out of their way to head to the polls. Proper citation depends on your preferred or required style manual. Proponents say teens are knowledgeable enough to vote. ", "While it is the purview of the states to set election rules, I will encourage them to make voting fair and easily accessible for all voters.". However, making National Election Day a holiday will disadvantage low-income and blue-collar workers. Should People Who Have Completed Felony Sentences Be Allowed to Vote? If not, youre out. Election Day as a holiday is something that exists in other countries, but not in most places inthe U.S. Its an issue that comes up a lot, but never really gets much serious public debate. Explain your answer. Marshall is an attorney in Washington and Okun is a corporate strategic advisor in Singapore for McLarty Associates. WebElection Day could be made a federal holiday if a bill were passed by the House and Senate then signed into law by the president. Coronavirus: Timeline of Comments by Trump and Biden with Context. Sundays were for rest and worship, and on Wednesdays farmers typically sold their crops at the market, making Tuesdays the best day of the week. COLUMN: Point Counterpoint: There are pros and cons to making Election Day a national holiday, OKLAHOMA WATCH: For tenants behind on rent, ant, Armstrong Bank appoints Aston Armstrong Hudson , OKLAHOMA WATCH: School report cards released, b, Keys secure Districts sweep against Colgate, Doctor accused of killing nurse released on bond, Man accused of sexting minor to appear in court, Business owner accused of obstructing an officer has undisclosed offer revised, EVERYDAY HEROES: Photog overcomes challenges to earn degree, BERRY BEST TIME: Strawberry growers in Adair County start selling crop, Man accused of killing three people denied demand for admissibility hearing, Man charged with murder of deputys daughter pleads not guilty, HAPPENING RIGHT NOW IN DOWNTOWN TAHLEQUAH: 2023 RED FERN FESTIVAL. Or are there other legitimate and logical reasons that may be preventing the Election Day from becoming a national holiday? Winds light and variable. ProCon/Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. CON. One major reason: It comes down to tradition, Troy said. Other solutions would more reliably increase voter turnout than a national holiday. The dream of busy voting booths is the goal of House Democratic legislation to make Election Day a [+] federal holiday. Caravans are joyful, noisy parades of cars festooned with flags and other decorations that stream through the streets ahead of an election and are credited with the islands over 80 percent turnout. [25], According to the AFL-CIO, 30 states require employers to allow employees time off for voting. Election Day in the United States is the Tuesday following the first Monday in November of an election year. If Election Day is a national holiday, would that mean the post office would be closed, she asked. Because Saturday and Sunday are Sabbath days for devout Jews and Christians, elections would probably have to be held over the two-day period creating a need for more poll workers and a process for securing ballots overnight, Victoria Shineman, a University of Pittsburgh political science professor, wrote in The Washington Post. For more information, please see our What then to do about American elections? 11 . (And in case youre curious, November was chosen as the month for similar reasons: It was after fall harvest was over but before the cold winter weather set in.). 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. Is there any veracity to what this dude is claiming? Approximately two million people who work for the federal government would be given a paid day off, and private companies might follow suit. More absentee voters mean there needs to be more of those ballots processed on Election Day, while other poll workers help people cast ballots in person. This simple change would make it easier for Making Election Day a national holiday will increase voter turnout by enabling more people to vote. This article was published on October 1, 2020, at Britannicas ProCon.org, a nonpartisan issue-information source. Bartons concerns about the possible unintended consequences of an Election Day holiday haveled a Democratic sponsor of legislation to create the holiday to reconsider her bill. In addition, those who wish to cast their ballots have ample opportunity to do so. For example, one may suggest, if we observe Election Day as a national holiday, then we will be unable to adequately staff and secure polling venues, or worse; it would negatively impact government spending. there are more pros than cons with regard to observing Election Day as a federal holiday. @TinaLBarton gave me some good insight that caused me to reconsider my bill that would have done just that. In 2018, Pew Research found that 65% of voters surveyed supported Election Day being a national holiday.
