[23], Annie McDonald, Editor of the Berkeley Public Policy Journal, noted that the workers who are least likely to get paid holidays are those who already have less of a voice in the political process: Americans working in retail, hospitality, and service jobs, for example, would most likely not receive the benefit of a paid holiday to vote. These efforts challenge fundamental values of American democracy and constitute a serious threat to the one person, one vote principle. Rationality and coherent argument are encouraged, whereas ideological flamewars are strongly discouraged. I feel the commenter's central thesis is that there are way more Dems in the US then Repubels. Making election day a holiday would improve the ability of the government to conduct elections. 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. All rights reserved. Election Day 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. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson wants to make Election Day a state holiday, but some worry about unintended consequences. ], ProCon.org, "Election Day National Holiday Top 3 Pros and Cons,", ProCon.org, "Election Day National Holiday Top 3 Pros and Cons. Election Day be a National Holiday in the U.S Accessed April 27, 2023. https://www.procon.org/should-election-day-be-a-national-holiday/. Speaking on MichMash, she explainsthat one of her biggest concerns has to do with the post office. Some countries Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. People who work long shifts, juggle multiple jobs, ProCon.org is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity. This is a stressful, insecure time for many. [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. 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. [1] 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. Folks who follow the news and keep up with current events sometimes forget theyre in the minority. Political science is the scientific study of politics. Effectiveness depends on the region. 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. [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. This Material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any form. Election Day National Holiday Top 3 Pros and Cons - ProCon.org 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. Should Election Day be a national holiday? Examine this opinion article from Evil HR Lady Suzanne Lucas on why election day should not be a national holiday. Archived post. 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. Should Election Day Be a National Holiday? | ProCon.org 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. Low 38F. Again, it is not clear that this is demonstrably true but it is a widespread perception. 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. The entire voter suppression conspiracy being advanced by progressives is nonsense on its face. The dream of busy voting booths is the goal of House Democratic legislation to make Election Day a [+] federal holiday. We are not a nation of civics nerds. 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. Pro/Con: Don't make Election Day a holiday; we don't need more 325 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 200 She says thats especially important right now with more voters casting absentee ballots. Other countries take heroic efforts to ensure that people can vote if they desire. Everyone will get equal opportunity to vote. National Election Day rolls around every four years and falls on the first Tuesday in November. Count me out. Devin Gordon is a Tahlequah business owner. 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. 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. Proponents say teens are knowledgeable enough to vote. I invite you to follow me onTwitter:@hooverwhalen, This is a BETA experience. Freedom to Vote Act 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. Not useful if people have strong opinions. Managing Editor 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. There is one other option: move elections to Saturdays. So who benefits if the U.S. move to a system where its adults have all of Tuesday to go to polls, if they so choose? Really? However, it wasnt until recently that the idea gained any traction in Congress. 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. 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. Adding in a new national holiday isnt necessarily without 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 automatic voter registration (nearly 87% of registered voters participated in the 2016 election), restoring voting rights for formerly incarcerated people and removing other barriers such as voter ID requirements and voter roll purges that often disenfranchise people of color. [3] In 1800, 83% of the American labor force was agrarian, but today only 11% of total US employment is agriculture-related. Many Americans know that Election Day is a Tuesday, but few know why. Election Day National Holiday Top 3 Pros and Cons - ProCon.org At the top of his list: making Election Day a national holiday. [14], Pew Research Center found that 71% of Democrats and 59% of Republicans support making Election Day a federal holiday. 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. [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. There was a Reddit comment saying that the only reason Republicans oppose Election Day being a national holiday is because it'll result in a higher turnout, which would almost completely ensure the Democrats will win for the foresable future. 2. Colorado College recently decided to give students the day off on Nov. 3. 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. 25, 2016, Chris Talgo, "Make Election Day a National Holiday? 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. Plus, some experts say moving to weekend voting could substantially increase the cost of running elections. It shouldnt all come down to just one day. Rochester Hills City Clerk Tina Barton. Passing voting rights reform will be a crucial component of this response, as would making Election Day a national holiday. Hey, you know who really has high voter turnout? Others have suggested making Veterans Day (Nov. 11), which is already a paid national holiday, Election Day. A handful of states have made election day a state holiday, including New York, Hawaii, Kentucky, and, in Apr. 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. Election Day is a holiday in Puerto Rico. All rights reserved. Making Election Day a holiday would not necessarily involve adding a new holiday, which employers might resistparticularly following the addition of Juneteenth as a national holiday last week. Marshall is an attorney in Washington and Okun is a corporate strategic advisor in Singapore for McLarty Associates. 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. 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. And these two nuggets, stashed inside Section 1903. 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). 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. 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. South Korea and Israel hold theirs during the week, but have made the day a federal holiday. What America needs isnt more voters. (Photo: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg). Winds light and variable.. Mallory McMorrow (@MalloryMcMorrow) February 3, 2021. To combat these efforts, lawmakers nationally have introduced HR1 (the John Lewis Act) and S1, which would enact a number of important provisions: improve ballot access, create nonpartisan redistricting commissions to reduce gerrymandering, provide automatic voter registration when people turn 18, allow at least 15 days of early voting,mandate that presidential candidates disclosure their federal tax returns, and require greater disclosure of so-called dark money campaign contributions. OK, so why Tuesday? That puts us behind countries like Australia, Belgium, and Luxembourg, which all have higher participation rates than the United States. Proper citation depends on your preferred or required style manual. [10][11]] 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. 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. The U.S. ranks 26th out of 32 for voter among 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. 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. In addition, those who wish to cast their ballots have ample opportunity to do so. WebPro: making election day a national holiday will increase voter turnout by enabling more people to vote. Furthermore, making this small shift would celebrate the purpose and sacrifice of our fighting forces. That year, just over 36% of eligible voters showed up. 2020, Virginia. The question remains: is such a holiday good public policy? Countries that have weekend or holiday elections do tend to have better turnout overall. Changing state laws and individual companies policies would be more effective ways to help people vote. Reformers will be far more successful adding a few days or options or opportunities than trying to undo Election Day.. If youre rushing to the polls to cast your vote to stop the forces of QAnon or because you seriously believe the same Republican Party that ended slavery wants to bring it back, please stay home. 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. Sweden came second with 82.6%. COLUMN: Point Counterpoint: There are pros and cons New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Useful for voters who are still indecisive. WDET is here to keep you informed onessential information, news and resources related to COVID-19. Automatic Voter Registration Some businesses may close, but their hourly paid employees will either have to use a PTO day or not get paid.. High turnout means that people are successfully exercising their rights-a good in itselfbut it also ensures the continuing health of majority rule. Should People Who Have Completed Felony Sentences Be Allowed to Vote? Other solutions would more reliably increase voter turnout than a national holiday. [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. Cheyna has interned with Michigan Radio and freelanced for WKAR public radio in Lansing. For purposes of any law relating to Federal employment, the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November in 2020 and each 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. Postings about current events are fine, as long as there is a political science angle. However, it gives voters the choice of not having to detour from their routines on Election Day. Creating laws in all states that let people vote before or after work would be more effective than a holiday. I believe Election Day should be a holiday so we can get our maximum participation, says Jacobs. It would give people time to vote. Were a country thatll spend as much this year on ads for video games as presidential campaigns (around $5 billion, according to CNBC). Election Day in the United States is the Tuesday following the first Monday in November of an election year. 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. If Election Day is a national holiday, would that mean the post office would be closed, she asked. And some countries, like Australia, require people to vote by subjecting those who dont to a minor fine equivalent to a traffic ticket. 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. It was a modern record for the Peach State. Allow people to register to vote AND vote on the same day. CON. [36]. 1. To access extended pro and con arguments, sources, and discussion questions about whether Election Day should be a national holiday, go to ProCon.org. She's also done some online freelancing and worked on documentary films. The U.S. ranks 26th out of 32 for voter among Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development countries. WebElection Day becoming a federal holiday will elevate voting to a democratic holiday. [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. an important step in ensuring the right to vote for all Americans and stabilizing democracy. Cookie Notice Explore which countries have weekend voting with Pew Research. ", ProCon.org. 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? 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. One must But they never go far and die in committee without a vote. America is walking the knifes edge between maintaining and losing democracy. Citizens have a right to vote. Instead of having the names spelled out, voters would pick between Oje Diben and Noladd Rumpt.. So its more important than ever for you, our listeners and readers, who are able todonate to keep supporting WDETs mission. This article was published on October 1, 2020, at Britannicas ProCon.org, a nonpartisan issue-information source. 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. 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. Chicago, Illinois 60654 USA, Natalie Leppard Many other democracies make election day a holiday and they all have higher voter turnout than we do. 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. Lets look at why Congress has never made Election Day a Bensons proposal would make Election Day a state holiday, not a national holiday. Pro/CON: Should Election Day be a federal holiday And what happens to be at the top of the list? Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Political campaigns can help winning elections. The second Trump vote could reach those levels. 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. Russia, Turkey, Iran, Syria Meet In Moscow: Whats Afoot? 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. "We do not have real political democracy, let alone economic democracy. 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.. You may opt-out by. 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. 1. Whether that be through the mail, or people drop them off in person. And that enabled us to essentially fill our needs of staffing the elections. Should Every Election Day Be A Federal Holiday? - Forbes People of color and low-income Americans already face barriers to vote, and making Election Day a national holiday may not help them. 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. Would making Election Day a federal holiday increase voter turnout and celebrate democracy? A part-time hourly worker is more likely to have multiple jobs, none of which are likely to offer time off. WDET is a community service of Wayne State University. 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%. Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Mexico receive high voter turnout due to universal voting and time off. So, since this effort does not receive bipartisan support, it is difficult to enact.. Top Issues for Voters. 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. 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. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Should Election Day Be a National Holiday? - ProCon.org So what are the odds of Election Day 2020 becoming a federal holiday (an idea Vermont Bernie Sanders was peddling back in 2015)? 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. Should the United States Use the Electoral College in Presidential Elections? Or we could use the Jumble ballot. [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. 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. Lets get early in-person voting in place in Michigan, so that everyone has an opportunity that fits their schedule. Governments are required to Pros & Cons Of Election Campaigns Georgia had the 12th-highest turnout in the country in 2018, with 57% participation. 14 . 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. 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. The result is voter turnout rates of 72.3% and 77.2% respectively, which is 26-32% higher than the United States. But other solutions would more reliably increase turnout. However, I feel like this is painting with a broad stroke. Making Election Day a national holiday will increase voter turnout by enabling more people to vote. Another positive: This would turn the day into a celebration of democracy. Protections for individuals with disabilities: The bill would address some of the biggest challenges to voting access that Americans with disabilities face.
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