"We do not have real political democracy, let alone economic democracy. Election Day I also take umbrage with the idea that people who dont vote are doing something wrong. As the chart shows, presidential turnout corresponds with midterm turnout and in 2018, turnout skyrocketed from 36.7% four years previously to 49.6%. 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. Plus, some experts say moving to weekend voting could substantially increase the cost of running elections. 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. However, rules, dates and deadlines vary by state, which can be confusing to some voters. WebElection Day becoming a federal holiday will elevate voting to a democratic holiday. Should the United States Use the Electoral College in Presidential Elections? Tuesday was chosen because it was most convenient for farmers traveling by horse and buggy at the time. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. 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. Source: Matthew Haag, "Mitch McConnell Calls Push to Make Election Day a Holiday a Democratic Power Grab," nytimes.com, Jan. 31, 2019, Differences in Conservative and Liberal Brains, The Electoral College: Top 3 Pros and Cons, Coronavirus: Timeline of Comments by Trump and Biden with Context')" href="https://www.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=007115">, Election Day National Holiday: Top 3 Pros and Cons, 2008 Presidential Election (archived 1/19/09), 2012 Presidential Election (archived 1/22/13), 2016 Presidential Election (archived 1/21/17), College Football Playoffs (archived 9/18/12), Insider Trading by Congress (archived 4/18/12). Please enable javascript and refresh the page to continue reading local news. With the exception of employers, who doesnt want another paid day off? Voter turnout in the U.S. is generally quite low, trailing behind that of other developed democracies around the world, according to another Pew study. The US ranks 26th out of 32 for voter turnout for Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries. Election Day could be made a holiday if a bill were passed by the House and Senate then signed into law by the president. 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. But other solutions would more reliably increase turnout. PRO/Con: Should Election Day be a federal 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. A part-time hourly worker is more likely to have multiple jobs, none of which are likely to offer time off. Making weekday elections a national holiday is a popular idea that would align the US with other countries. If you feel you have received this message in error, please contact the customer support team at 1-833-248-7801. 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. Should Election Day Be a National Holiday? In this pro the author says that if election day was a holiday it would make more people vote and that is a good thing. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson wants to make Election Day a state holiday, but some worry about unintended consequences. Winds light and variable.. 5. Voter suppression policies need to be reversed, starting with restoring the pre-clearance provisions of the Civil Rights Act. Her ideas include requiring a statewide risk-limiting audit of an elections results before the state certification,giving clerks more time ahead of Election Day to process ballots and banning open carry of firearms within 100 feet of polling locations. [26] Caravanas are joyful, noisy parades of cars festooned with flags and other decorations that stream through Puerto Ricos streets ahead of an election and are credited with the islands over 80% voter turnout. Local View: Former Gov. Chicago, Illinois 60654 USA, Natalie Leppard Politicians, most recently House Democrats in 2019, have also floated the idea of turning a weekday Election Day into a federal holiday, but to no avail. Privacy Policy. Making Election Day a national holiday will increase voter turnout by enabling more people to vote. In many other democracies around the world, national elections are held on the weekend or are a federal holiday. But experts say improving voter turnout is a complicated issue that no single silver bullet strategy can solve. The nature of a public holiday is that businesses close and workers are entitled Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. The U.S. ranks 26th out of 32 for voter among Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development countries. 2020, Virginia. On WDETs Detroit Today with Stephen Henderson, Benson emphasized that making Election Day a holiday would make it easier toattractmore election workers. If a right-wing cabal really is running a secret, suppress-the-vote operation, its the most inept conspiracy since Jussie Smollett and the Subway Sandwich Scam. In California, for example, theres now permanent voting by mail(voters can also go on line, after theyve submitted their ballot, to see if theyve been processed). However, I feel like this is painting with a broad stroke. Lets get early in-person voting in place in Michigan, so that everyone has an opportunity that fits their schedule. and our WebElection Campaign Cons. As shown in this Fair Vote chart, turnout ebbs and flows in presidential cycles elections a big falloff from 1992 to 1996 (58.1% vs. 51.7%), then a steady rise through 2008 (61.6%) followed by another drop in 2012 (58.2%) and then a return to 60.1% in 2016. 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). Low 38F. 1. While some states have made Election Day a civic holiday (though it primarily applies to public workers) and most have laws that require companies to give employees some time off to vote, none of the legislative efforts to enact these changes on a national level have been successful. This article was published on October 1, 2020, at Britannicas ProCon.org, a nonpartisan issue-information source. 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. After reading the pros and cons on this topic, has your thinking changed? A handful of states have made election day a state holiday, including New York, Hawaii, Kentucky, and, in Apr. But making Election Day a holiday because you want to increase voter turnout? 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. But would such a change turn out the voters Democrats covet most? Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams, for example, says she lost the 2018 governors race as a victim of some ballot-blocking scheme. 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. The bill had zero co-sponsors and went People who work long shifts, juggle multiple jobs, Such a change would mostly benefit white-collar workers instead of the lower-income workers its designed to help. [28][29], Patagonia, an outdoor clothing retailer, paused operation on Nov. 6, 2018 so that all employees could vote. Should People Who Have Completed Felony Sentences Be Allowed to Vote? Keep in mind that in the mid-1800s, the U.S. was largely an agricultural society. I believe Election Day should be a holiday so we can get our maximum participation, says Jacobs. [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. Interestingly, 27 of the 36 countries that are members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (made up largely of advanced democracies) conduct their national elections on the weekend. And even if elections arent routine in the age of Donald Trump, its a nice option to have. 14, 2019, BBC, "Singapore Election: Governing Party Secure Decisive Win, bbc.com, Sep. 12, 2015, Holly Jackson, "It's Time to Make Election Day a Holiday in Law and Spirit," washingtonpost.com, Oct. 22, 2018, BCP Associates, "India Elections 2019 - Declaration of Paid Holiday on Polling Day, bcpassociates.com, Apr. In theory, it seems that any move that would make it easier for Americans to vote would increase participation. [8][15] A holiday for elections sidesteps the issue of a weekend election, which could conflict with religious obligations. And so, this would actually make it even easier and validate businesses to give their employees the day off so that they can work the elections and serve as election workers.. Many states have already declared National Election Day a civic holiday, which is an occasion to commemorate America's history, celebrate our rights and responsibilities as citizens, and learn about our constitutional ideals. Here are five reasons why Election Day should be a national holiday. But would such a change turn out the voters Democrats covet most? Pew Research Center found 71 percent of Democrats and 59 percent of Republicans support that. Again, it is not clear that this is demonstrably true but it is a widespread perception. Push for the position and policies you support by writing US national senators and representatives. Its a move that could de-politicize some of the election reform discussion, as some of the ideas could receivebipartisan support. Top Issues for Voters. [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. Explain your answer. shouldnt voting be mandatory ", ProCon.org. Why or why not? Promotion of new political ideas. Please make a gift today. It would give people time to vote. In true American fashion, I say we take the day off, cast our votes, then stock up the ice chests with beer, fire up and thaw out the grill, gather with friends and neighbors while we argue and/or celebrate the individual we choose as commander in chief for the next four years. ProCon.org. This Material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any form. So what are the odds of Election Day 2020 becoming a federal holiday (an idea Vermont Bernie Sanders was peddling back in 2015)? Funding by lobbyists is a big problem. Poland, for example, holds elections on weekends. Partly cloudy skies. Changing the laws and individual policies would be more effective ways to help people vote. What other improvements could be made to voting and Election Day? ], [Editors Note: The MLA citation style requires double spacing within entries. Should People Who Have Completed Felony Sentences Be Allowed to Vote? Make Election Day a federal holiday. We are not a nation of civics nerds. The U.S. ranks 26th out of 32 for voter among Russia, Turkey, Iran, Syria Meet In Moscow: Whats Afoot? He previously reported on the Michigan Legislature for the Michigan Public Radio Network. ], [Editors Note: The MLA citation style requires double spacing within entries. [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. Marshall is an attorney in Washington and Okun is a corporate strategic advisor in Singapore for McLarty Associates. The United States currently has 10 national holidays, includingMemorial Day,Independence Day, andChristmas Day. These efforts challenge fundamental values of American democracy and constitute a serious threat to the one person, one vote principle. Low 38F. But this arrangement began to raise concerns as travel and communication improved in the 19th century: Results from states that voted earlier could sway the outcome in states that voted later. The answer dates back to 1845, when Congress passed a law declaring that federal elections would be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. WebAt the opening of Congress this past January, House Democrats introduced a proposal to make Election Day a national holiday. Giving people the day to vote would be the first public holiday in the United States. 2020, Virginia. The three presidential elections held in the 1960s ranged from a high of 63.8% (JFK) to a low of 62.5% (Nixon). [25], According to the AFL-CIO, 30 states require employers to allow employees time off for voting. One must 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.. More people would vote if they had more time to cast their ballots Furthermore, celebrating our democracy publicly would send the message that we value each others citizenship as much as we value honoring past presidents. [13], Donald Green, PhD, Burgess Professor of Political Science at Columbia University, found that nonpartisan community parties celebrating Election Day in 2005, 2006, and 2016 increased voter participation between 2.6 percentage points and about 4 percentage points. Approximately two million people who work for the federal government would be given a paid day off, and private companies might follow suit. Accessed April 27, 2023. https://www.procon.org/should-election-day-be-a-national-holiday/. Adding in a new national holiday isnt necessarily without Virginia Gov. A subreddit to discuss political science. By registering through a routine and necessary transaction such as those at the DMV, voters wont have to worry about registration deadlines or application submissions. Colorado College recently decided to give students the day off on Nov. 3. 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. (Photo: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg). What America needs isnt more voters. Allow people to register to vote AND vote on the same day. To access extended pro and con arguments, sources, and discussion questions about whether Election Day should be a national holiday, go to ProCon.org. Consider how you felt about the issue before reading this article. [18][19], Federal law doesnt require private employers to give employees paid federal holidays. In its last two presidential elections (2015 and 2010) turnout was 55% 5% less than the 2016 vote in the U.S. Switzerland also votes on weekends. 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. Although state Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak) says she still supports the idea, but she says Im all-in on an all-of-the-above approach.. 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. Folks who follow the news and keep up with current events sometimes forget theyre in the minority. This would actually make it even easier and validate businesses to give their employees the day off so that they can work the elections and serve as election workers. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. 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. Proper citation depends on your preferred or required style manual. Count me out. Creating laws in all states that let people vote before or after work would be more effective than a holiday. (Photo: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg), Controversial Program Could Diminish NASAs Credibility And Its Federal Funding, Shelter From A Storm: Protecting The Housing Market From Itself. Making Election Day a national holiday will increase voter turnout by enabling more people to vote. South Korea and Israel hold theirs during the week, but have made the day a federal holiday. It would only make it harder and more expensive for all candidates to have a fair shot at competing. Last modified on October 1, 2020. Changing state laws and individual companies policies would be more effective ways to help people vote. Not me. All rights reserved. Should the U.S. Make Election Day a National Holiday? - Ask.com John M. Cunningham, "Why Are U.S. ProCon/Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. The pros and cons of the felon voting debate include arguments about the social contract, voting while in prison, and paying debts. Republicans and Democrats Move Further Apart in Views of Dont give the nation a day off, but do a better job of giving voters options for getting involved. [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. [10][11]] However, making National Election Day a holiday will disadvantage low-income and blue-collar workers. A number of bills like the Weekend Voting Act have been proposed in Congress over the years, often by Democrats. What are the pros and cons of making Election Day a national 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. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. 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). ], ProCon.org, "Election Day National Holiday Top 3 Pros and Cons,", ProCon.org, "Election Day National Holiday Top 3 Pros and Cons. Under normal political circumstances, more Americans follow the race to the World Series than to the White House. Terms of Use | Online Privacy Policy, many sweeping changes she would like to see, the conspiracy fueled calls for election reform, On WDETs Detroit Today with Stephen Henderson. By comparison, Belgium reported the highest OECD voter turnout: 87.2% in the most recent national election. However, it gives voters the choice of not having to detour from their routines on Election Day. Could that ever happen in the U.S.? [1] Singapore has election day as a federal holiday, and in 2015 this resulted in a voter turnout of 93.6%. At the top of his list: making Election Day a national holiday. ", "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.". Its hard to say. Pros and Cons We get about 20-25% of our absentee ballots come in on Election The question remains: is such a holiday good public policy? Or we could use the Jumble ballot. [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. [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. Rationality and coherent argument are encouraged, whereas ideological flamewars are strongly discouraged. Scan this QR code to download the app now. The Evolution of American Voting Rights in 242 Years Shows How Far Weve Come -- and How Far We Still Have to Go, businessinsider.com, Sep. 24, 2019, University of Houston Digital History, "Agriculture, digitalhistory.uh.edu (accessed Sep. 24, 2019), USDA, "Ag and Food Sectors and the Economy, ers.usda.gov, Sep. 20, 2019, Legal Information Institute, "5 U.S. Code 6103. He concluded that having an election holiday, by itself, is not an effective strategy to increase voter turnout. [34], Automatic voter registration, by contrast, could register an additional 22 million people and create 7.9 million new voters nationwide within a year. [20][21][22] A part-time hourly worker is more likely to have multiple jobs, none of which are likely to offer time off for a national holiday. If your thoughts have not changed, list two to three ways your better understanding of the other side of the issue now helps you better argue your position. 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. Whether the voter has to go to office or has an important meeting, they may not be able to find any excuse to miss the voting procedure if election day is declared as 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). To have a democratic society, we need to restructure government and elections. Examine this opinion article from Evil HR Lady Suzanne Lucas on why election day should not be a national holiday. Should Election Day be a national holiday? Pro/Con: Don't make Election Day a holiday; we don't need more Election Day National Holiday Top 3 Pros and Cons - ProCon.org Furthermore, making this small shift would celebrate the purpose and sacrifice of our fighting forces. Rose Marcario, CEO, stated, demonstrating your companys commitment to voting will reinforce how essential it is that every eligible voter shows up. Others have suggested making Veterans Day (Nov. 11), which is already a paid national holiday, Election Day. States such as Georgia and Iowa already have passed restrictive measures and many others appear poised to do the same thing. 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 work days. North Korea. [16]. Twelve federal holidays are recognized each year: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Washingtons Birthday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas. ProCon/Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. Try lower-wage earners at restaurants and stores enterprises that would look to cash in if the working class got an extra day off. All Rights Reserved. People of color and low-income Americans already face barriers to vote, and making Election Day a national holiday may not help them. 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? Postings about current events are fine, as long as there is a political science angle. If changes need to be made nationally, those changes should relate to job security and compensation. Political campaigns can help winning elections. Consider this: Even if Election Day were moved to a weekend or turned into a national holiday, retail and service industry employees would still need to work. [7] A handful of states have made election day a state holiday, including New York, Hawaii, Kentucky, and, in Apr. 325 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 200 Opponents say it allows only a few states to select the president. Should Election Day Be a Holiday? - Morningside Center Move past the theatrics of the government shutdown, impeachment and the threat of investigations ad infinitumand theres the question of Democrat squad goals in a Pelosi-run House of Representatives. One way to judge that: prioritized legislation. 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. Presidential Election History. The US ranks 26th out of 32 for voter turnout among Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries. I invite you to follow me onTwitter:@hooverwhalen, This is a BETA experience. https://www.hoover.org/profiles/bill-whalen, federal holiday. May improve popularity of a candidate. You know what else they have? For more information, please see our Consider the potential benefits and difficulties of changing election day. Election Day in the United States is the Tuesday following the first Monday in November of an election year. Speaking on MichMash, she explainsthat one of her biggest concerns has to do with the post office. Reformers will be far more successful adding a few days or options or opportunities than trying to undo Election Day.. "Should Election Day Be a National Holiday?" Copyright 2022 by WDET and Wayne State University. Mallory McMorrow (@MalloryMcMorrow) February 3, 2021. Also, would a holiday mean limited public transit schedules, which might make it harder for some people to get to the polls? How to Become the US President. That year, just over 36% of eligible voters showed up. Veterans Day typically is about one week after Election Day so this would involve little disruption in terms of job schedules and monthly routines. It does not force voters to elect any one candidate and therefore, we believe, it survives constitutional muster. Because of the pandemic, more U.S. voters are exploring alternatives to voting on Election Day, such as early voting and mail-in voting. And what happens to be at the top of the list? 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 participation. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Should the Voting Age Be Lowered to 16? Nations like Israel and South Korea make election day a national holiday and have voter turnout rates of 72.3% and 77.2% respectively, which is significantly higher than that of the US.
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