pros and cons of making election day a national holiday

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. She's also done some online freelancing and worked on documentary films. Tina Barton, a Republican Rochester Hills City Clerk has a lot of those questions, and more. Move Voting to Veterans Day - Politico Veterans deserve a day that stands on its own without the distractions that come with arriving at the polls and casting votes. One major reason: It comes down to tradition, Troy said. @TinaLBarton gave me some good insight that caused me to reconsider my bill that would have done just that. In the 2016 presidential election, 14% of registered voters cited being too busy or having a conflicting schedule as the main reason they didnt cast their ballots, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of Census Bureau data. Making Election Day a national holiday will increase voter turnout by enabling more people to vote. And these two nuggets, stashed inside Section 1903. Postings about current events are fine, as long as there is a political science angle. US Political Parties. 2. WebElection Campaign Cons. 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. [8][15] A holiday for elections sidesteps the issue of a weekend election, which could conflict with religious obligations. Michael Graham is political editor at InsideSources.com. Low 38F. PRO/Con: Should Election Day be a federal holiday? Poland, for example, holds elections on weekends. ProCon.org is the institutional or organization author for all ProCon.org pages. Automatic Voter Registration We are not a nation of civics nerds. Election Day National Holiday Top 3 Pros and Cons - ProCon.org In previous elections, that percentage was even higher. Many Americans are not What America needs isnt more voters. But thats not guarantor of a higher turnout. After all, what do our veterans fight for, if not for democracy itself? Others have suggested making Veterans Day (Nov. 11), which is already a paid national holiday, Election Day. He previously reported on the Michigan Legislature for the Michigan Public Radio Network. 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. Making Election Day a national holiday will increase voter turnout by enabling more people to vote. Other solutions would more reliably increase voter turnout than a national holiday. 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. Should Election Day Be a National Holiday? - ProCon.org Should the Voting Age Be Lowered to 16? For more information, please see our You may opt-out by. our colleagues on the other side, on their campaigns.. 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. We see that you have javascript disabled. Election Day is a holiday in Puerto Rico. Approximately two million people who work for the federal government would be given a paid day off, and private companies might follow suit. [8], In the 2016 presidential election, 55.7% of the American voting-age population cast a ballot. Cons: Private employers are not required to give their employees federal holidays anyways. 5. Why isn't Election Day a national holiday in the US? - KSDK 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. Issues also arise when a persons polling place is far from their workplace or when there are long lines to vote during peak times like in the morning before work or in the evening after work. These efforts challenge fundamental values of American democracy and constitute a serious threat to the one person, one vote principle. 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. No: Too Inconvenient, Early-Voting Options Ample, orlandosentinel.com, Nov. 5, 2018, Henry Farber, "Increasing Voter Turnout: Is Democracy Day the Answer?, princeton.edu, Feb. 2009, Sarah Issenberg, "The Mystery of the Puerto Rico Voter, slate.com, Jan. 27, 2012, Paul LeBlanc, "Virginia Governor Makes Election Day a Holiday and Expands Early Voting,". The measure contains an election-reform bushelful of liberal chestnuts same-day voter registration, provisional ballots, poll worker recruitment and training. Not useful if people have strong opinions. That, to me,is the real answer, she says. South Korea and Israel hold theirs during the week, but have made the day a federal holiday. Why Isn't Election Day A National Holiday In The United States? But would such a change turn out the voters Democrats covet most? Election Day in the United States is the Tuesday following the first Monday in November of an election year. All rights reserved. Accessed April 27, 2023. https://www.procon.org/should-election-day-be-a-national-holiday/. The idea of combining Veterans Day with National Election Day has been brought up for debate, but that doesnt make much sense. 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. 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. 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. Overall, White adults are less likely to favor making Election Day a national holiday and automatically registering all eligible citizens to vote than are Black, Hispanic [25], According to the AFL-CIO, 30 states require employers to allow employees time off for voting. Way too many Americans are voting already. Proponents say the Electoral College ensures everyone selects the president. WDET is here to keep you informed onessential information, news and resources related to COVID-19. 11 . While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Approximately two million people who work for the federal government would be given a paid day off, and private companies might follow suit. 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. 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. How to Become the US President. This simple change would make it easier for The US ranks 26th out of 32 for voter turnout among Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries. And even if elections arent routine in the age of Donald Trump, its a nice option to have. Congress would shore up the peoples right to vote while guaranteeing the time to engage in this fundamental right. 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. Russia, Turkey, Iran, Syria Meet In Moscow: Whats Afoot? Should Election Day Be a National Holiday? | ProCon.org Election Day Should Be A Federal Holiday Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. Also, would a holiday mean limited public transit schedules, which might make it harder for some people to get to the polls? Part of HuffPost Home & Living. 12 . American election laws have been reformed before with minimal impact on voter turnout which remains low compared to other democracies around the world. In Australia, where voting is mandatory, elections are celebrated with parties and barbecues, resulting in turnout rates around 90 percent. 4. Other solutions would more reliably This is a stressful, insecure time for many. Colorado College recently decided to give students the day off on Nov. 3. 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. Try lower-wage earners at restaurants and stores enterprises that would look to cash in if the working class got an extra day off. 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. While these provisions represent major steps in the right direction, they are not enough. 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. But other solutions would more reliably increase turnout. If you feel you have received this message in error, please contact the customer support team at 1-833-248-7801. [7] A handful of states have made election day a state holiday, including New York, Hawaii, Kentucky, and, in Apr. Pro/Con: Don't make Election Day a holiday; we don't need more 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. Veterans Day typically is about one week after Election Day so this would involve little disruption in terms of job schedules and monthly routines. If Election Day is a national holiday, would that mean the post office would be closed, she asked. But they never go far and die in committee without a vote. Sweden came second with 82.6%. Today, of course, holding the election on the first Tuesday of the month is deeply inconvenient for the vast majority of Americans, whether they work in an office, in food service, or on a farm, as they did in the olden days. There is one other option: move elections to Saturdays. Reformers will be far more successful adding a few days or options or opportunities than trying to undo Election Day.. 2. 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. 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 Even some Democrats are saying that it could have unintended consequences. Its one of many sweeping changes she would like to see in stateelection law. Making Election Day a national holiday would turn voting into a celebration of democracy. 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. The dream of busy voting booths is the goal of House Democratic legislation to make Election Day a [+] federal holiday. If you want to make Election Day a national holiday because you believe American workers should have more days off to hang out with their families or pound a few brewskis with their buds Im all in. Chicago, Illinois 60654 USA, Natalie Leppard 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. Should the United States Use the Electoral College in Presidential Elections? Making election day a holiday would improve the ability of the government to conduct elections. HR 1, also known as the For The People Act.. Chicago, Illinois 60654 USA, Natalie Leppard Explore which countries have weekend voting with Pew Research. The nature of a public holiday is that businesses close and workers are entitled But if you must, then I insist we move the election to April 15, Tax Day, to remind everyone how much these elections cost. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles. Not everyone is jumping at the idea of making Election Day a state holiday, however. And what happens to be at the top of the list? [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. The turnout numbers prove voting isnt that hard. ], ProCon.org, "Election Day National Holiday Top 3 Pros and Cons,", ProCon.org, "Election Day National Holiday Top 3 Pros and Cons. Jake Neher is senior producer for Detroit Today and host of MichMash for 101.9 WDET. Pro and Con: Election Day Holiday | Britannica Some countries WebElection Day becoming a federal holiday will elevate voting to a democratic holiday. Whether accurate or not, elected officials likely think that making it easier to vote would advantage one party traditionally it is believed to help the Democrats at the expense of the other party, the GOP, said Vincent Hutchings, a University of Michigan political science professor. She says thats especially important right now with more voters casting absentee ballots. 3. That puts us behind countries like Australia, Belgium, and Luxembourg, which all have higher participation rates than the United States. 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. Thats not to say no one has tried. 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. It is the duty of the state to make exercising this right as accesible as possible by making the election day a holiday. 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. Election Day National Holiday Top 3 Pros and Cons - ProCon.org [2] 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. Lets assume there wont be an election holiday anytime soon not until Democrats control both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue. Making Election Day a national holiday will disadvantage low-income and blue collar workers. 14 . Making weekday elections a national holiday is a popular idea that would align the US with other countries. Such a change would mostly benefit white-collar workers instead of the lower-income workers its designed to help. 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. The entire voter suppression conspiracy being advanced by progressives is nonsense on its face. 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. [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. "We do not have real political democracy, let alone economic democracy. Whether that be through the mail, or people drop them off in person. 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. 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. A survey showed U.S. adults would rather have a federal holiday on Election Day than on Christmas Eve, the Friday after Thanksgiving, or St. Patricks Day. Election Day in the United States has occurred on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November ever since PresidentJohn Tylersigned an 1845 law establishing a specific voting day for the entire country. [14][35] In Australia, where voting is mandatory, elections are celebrated with parties and barbeques nationwide, resulting in turnout rates around 90%. Ralph Northam signed a bill on Sunday making Election Day a state holiday with the intention of making it easier for voters to cast their ballots in elections. [12], The idea that voting should be a celebration, not a chore is one argument for turning Election Day into a national holiday, according to Archon Fung, PhD, and Jane Mansbridge, PhD, professors at the Harvard Kennedy School. Low 38F. 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. Whether accurate or not, elected officials likely think that making it easier to vote would advantage one party at the expense of the other party.. However, it gives voters the choice of not having to detour from their routines on Election Day. 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? We get about 20-25% of our absentee ballots come in on Election 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. 1. And if they get sick on Monday, the day before the election theyre not trying to get an emergency ballot, or something like that. The result is voter turnout rates of 72.3% and 77.2% respectively, which is 26-32% higher than the United States. Approximately two million people who work for the federal government would be given a paid day off, and private companies might follow suit. ], [Editors Note: The MLA citation style requires double spacing within entries. 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. 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.. Accessed April 27, 2023. https://www.procon.org/headlines/election-day-national-holiday-top-3-pros-and-cons/, potential benefits and difficulties of changing election day, election day should not be a national holiday. To have a democratic society, we need to restructure government and elections. [4][5], The United States currently has 10 national holidays, including Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Christmas Day. Bernie Sanders attempted to pass an Election Day holiday under the "Democracy Day Act" in 2018. Changing state laws and individual companies policies would be more effective ways to help people vote. 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. Examine this opinion article from Evil HR Lady Suzanne Lucas on why election day should not be 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. High turnout means that people are successfully exercising their rights-a good in itselfbut it also ensures the continuing health of majority rule. Cookie Notice First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. 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. WebProCon.org - Pros and Cons of Controversial Issues Kneeling during National Anthem US Presidents on Money PROS AND CONS OF CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES PROCON.ORG HEADLINES - Our Issues in the News Are DACA and the DREAM Act Good for America? "Should Election Day Be a National Holiday?" Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Mexico receive high voter turnout due to universal voting and time off. So what are the odds of Election Day 2020 becoming a federal holiday (an idea Vermont Bernie Sanders was peddling back in 2015)? Everyone will get equal opportunity to vote. And that the reason why the Dems don't win more often is because of low voter turn-out because they can't afford to leave their jobs. The U.S. ranks 26th out of 32 for voter among Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development countries. [28][29], Patagonia, an outdoor clothing retailer, paused operation on Nov. 6, 2018 so that all employees could vote. [3] In 1800, 83% of the American labor force was agrarian, but today only 11% of total US employment is agriculture-related. Because of the pandemic, more U.S. voters are exploring alternatives to voting on Election Day, such as early voting and mail-in voting. May improve popularity of a candidate. [31][32] Trying one of these alternatives would avoid the negative economic impact of closing businesses for Election Day. COLUMN: Point Counterpoint: There are pros and cons In 1845, when Congress established a national election day, it had to be a Tuesday because farmers went to church on Sunday, went to market on Wednesday, and may have needed a day, Monday, to get to their polling place, Gil Troy an American presidential historian and McGill University professor told HuffPost. If you can draw a line between Donald Trump and President, your vote counts. The bill had zero co-sponsors and went 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. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. 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. Furthermore, making this small shift would celebrate the purpose and sacrifice of our fighting forces. We want parents to vote, not get stuck. Pro/Con: Make Election Day a holiday along with Election Day could be made a federal holiday if a bill were passed by the House and Senate then signed into law by the president. And who would get squeezed by the holiday? Please make a gift today. Or is it an optimistic idea that would exclude already disadvantaged voters while failing to increase turnout? List two to three ways. Hey, you know who really has high voter turnout? A part-time hourly worker is more likely to have multiple jobs, none of which are likely to offer time off. Nationally in 2018, turnout was above 50%, with 35 million more voters than the previous midterm election in 2014. For example, Australia typically has a turnout in the 90 percent or more range, and other nations such as Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Mexico achieve very high turnout via universal voting and time off for voting. These changes would send the message that voting is not a privilege to be bought with job security and time to spare, but rather an essential responsibility every person ought to undertake. 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. Pro/CON: Should Election Day be a federal holiday Even people youd expect to know, like politicians, have been stumped by this very question. But making Election Day a holiday because you want to increase voter turnout? What other improvements could be made to voting and Election Day? Privacy Policy. All rights reserved. Lets get early in-person voting in place in Michigan, so that everyone has an opportunity that fits their schedule. The types of workers least likely to reap the benefits of a federal holiday are those who already struggle to vote, Shineman noted. [17] Countries such as France, Mexico, and India also observe federal holidays for elections. What then to do about American elections? Top Issues for Voters. I feel the commenter's central thesis is that there are way more Dems in the US then Repubels. ", ProCon.org. John M. Cunningham, "Why Are U.S. 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. Political science is the scientific study of politics. 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. 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. According to the AFL-CIO, 30 states require employers to allow employees time off for voting. [26] Creating laws in all states that let people vote before or after work would be more effective than a national holiday, which would quickly be viewed as just another day off to enjoy.

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