Should elections be national holidays?

[Nym90]

Yes, I would support this. It wouldn't make a huge difference, but it would encourage more people to vote who currently don't have the time. That isn't a large number of people, but it is some, and giving Americans another day of paid time off doesn't bother me.

[Nym90]

Thanks, Al. I should be on a bit more often now. I think I'm going to stay away from fantasy politics, but hope to be participating in the other sections of the Forum.

[Nym90]

OR, you could just have the election on saturdays.

Yes, but then we wouldn't get an extra paid holiday!

In all seriousness, though, people are more likely to be out of town on Saturday then on Tuesday. If Tuesday were a holiday but Monday was not, most people wouldn't be travelling or out of town and thus unable to vote. Come to think of it, Wednesday would probably be even better to have as election day.

[Nym90]

Polls here in Virginia are open before I go to work.  I can go in at 6am, fill out my ballot, and head right on in to DC without interrupting my schedule.  However, I think the day should be a national holiday just so people would understand how important it is for people to do their responsibility as citizens and vote.

A national holiday is just another day off.  I don't think it would increase voter participation one iota.  The obstacles that people claim keep them from voting are just cheap excuses.  Remove them, and they'll find another obstacle.  I think we're better off without lazy, dysfunctional people voting in large numbers in any case.

Not only would a national holiday create a day off, but it would crate the likelihood of an extended weekend. If it remained on Tuesday, many people would take a four day weekend to travel, just as happens when July 4 falls on a Tuesday. The net effect would not encourage any additional voting.

If one was concerned with the ability to vote in a timely fashion, longer hours are the best solution. The next best option is to place it on a weekend, but I don't think most people want to give up a weekend day to vote.

True, which is why I support moving election day to Wednesday. I also support the polls being open longer hours (possibly 24 hours a day...hey, if Walmart can be open 24 hours, why not the polls? )