pros and cons of making election day a national holiday

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%. High turnout means that people are successfully exercising their rights-a good in itselfbut it also ensures the continuing health of majority rule. Election Day Election Day Should Be A Federal Holiday Why Isn't Election Day A National Holiday In The United States? ", ProCon.org. 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. 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,". 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). 3. The U.S. ranks 26th out of 32 for voter among Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development countries. John M. Cunningham, "Why Are U.S. [8][15] A holiday for elections sidesteps the issue of a weekend election, which could conflict with religious obligations. 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%). But would such a change turn out the voters Democrats covet most? Election Day National Holiday Top 3 Pros and Cons - ProCon.org ProCon.org. 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. So far this year, hundreds of bills have been introduced that could have the effect of suppressing peoples right to vote. 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). While the Republican efforts are shrouded in their supposed desire to protect the integrity of elections, there is no evidence of significant voter fraud in recent elections, including presidential election in 2020. [10][11]] 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. [4][5], The United States currently has 10 national holidays, including Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Christmas Day. He previously reported on the Michigan Legislature for the Michigan Public Radio Network. Virginia Gov. List two to three ways. 10 . 5 Reasons Election Day Should Be a National Holiday - Global Local View: Former Gov. [8], In the 2016 presidential election, 55.7% of the American voting-age population cast a ballot. [16]. May improve popularity of a candidate. 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. 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. 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. @TinaLBarton gave me some good insight that caused me to reconsider my bill that would have done just that. 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. 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. 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. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Under normal political circumstances, more Americans follow the race to the World Series than to the White House. Advertisement. Everyone will get equal opportunity to vote. WebMaking election day a holiday might seem to have very few drawbacks, but because many of the people who would actually benefit from the holiday are unlikely to even be able to Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. Or are there other legitimate and logical reasons that may be preventing the Election Day from becoming a national holiday? After reading the pros and cons on this topic, has your thinking changed? This Material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any form. WebPros: A day will be marked on your calendar for voting. Compulsory voting. 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. One major reason: It comes down to tradition, Troy said. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. But making Election Day a holiday because you want to increase voter turnout? According to the AFL-CIO, 30 states require employers to allow employees time off for voting. As part of the weekly series MichMash, hosts Jake Neher Cheyna Roth talk about the cases for and against making Election Day a state holiday. 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. People of color and low-income Americans already face barriers to vote, and making Election Day a national holiday may not help them. Folks who follow the news and keep up with current events sometimes forget theyre in the minority. And if they get sick on Monday, the day before the election theyre not trying to get an emergency ballot, or something like that. Last modified on April 13, 2020. [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. WebPro: making election day a national holiday will increase voter turnout by enabling more people to vote. 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. Not everyone is jumping at the idea of making Election Day a state holiday, however. 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. 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. But one idea that could get support and pushback from both sides of the aisle is making Election Day a state holiday. To Feed His Ravenous Flock, Ron DeSantis Ignores the Real Problem With the Fed, The Flat Tax Revolution In State Capitals Is Thriving, Amazon Tax Subsidies Are Inefficient Job Creators, New Immigration Initiatives Promise Improvements In U.S. Migration From Southern Countries, Latest Biden Regulation Will Cause Massive Trouble For New Homebuyers, retired matadors and mathematical savants. [25], According to the AFL-CIO, 30 states require employers to allow employees time off for voting. (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. Approximately two million people who work for the federal government would be given a paid day off, and private companies might follow suit. Approximately two million people who work [8], Among registered voters in the 2016 US presidential election, being too busy or having a conflicting schedule was the third-highest reason cited for not voting, accounting for 14% of registered voters who did not cast a vote (about 2.7 million people). an important step in ensuring the right to vote for all Americans and stabilizing democracy. These efforts challenge fundamental values of American democracy and constitute a serious threat to the one person, one vote principle. While Barton isnt for or against making Election Day a holiday, one thing she is definitely on board with is getting more people to vote. 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

Hermit Crab And Ragworm Symbiotic Relationship, Matthew Moulding Wife, Articles P