Would it be unfair to have an election week, or at least several days to vote?

[Jacobtm]

In the U.S., election day isn't a holiday. People have to work, take care of children, and do all the regular stuff in that day that keeps their lives busy. That being the case, would it be unfair to allow an entire week for people to vote, or at least several days, stretching into the weekend, so that more people who wants to vote can get a chance?

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

We already have that. It's called absentee voting.

I'm in favor of making election day a holiday though.

[dead0man]

Do we really want more uneducated people voting?

[bgwah]

Do we really want more uneducated people voting?

Good point. I don't want you voting, either.

[dead0man]

Good point.  I don't want my kids to leave the light on in the bathroom.

[Gabu]

Do we really want more uneducated people voting?

I agree, we should abolish elections.

[dead0man]

Except for me and you!  Wait, two wouldn't work.

[Ebowed]

The campaigning would get extremely ugly in the final days of an election week.

I almost like the idea.

[MODU]

In the U.S., election day isn't a holiday. People have to work, take care of children, and do all the regular stuff in that day that keeps their lives busy. That being the case, would it be unfair to allow an entire week for people to vote, or at least several days, stretching into the weekend, so that more people who wants to vote can get a chance?

People have the option to vote with an absentee ballot if they know they will not be able to make it to the polls on election day.  It's not like election day is a last-minute event scheduled just a few days in advance, so they can easily reschedule their "regular stuff in the day" to fulfill their responsibility of voting.  No sense increasing the risk of fraud just to accommodate those that cannot find 30 minutes in their lives to make it to the polls or fill out an absentee ballot. 

[minionofmidas]

Just have voting on a sunday. Problem solved for the vast majority of people.

[Ebowed]

Just have voting on a sunday. Problem solved for the vast majority of people.

Probably result in even lower turnout among college students.

[MODU]

Just have voting on a sunday. Problem solved for the vast majority of people.

Probably result in even lower turnout among college students.

Reason for filling out the absentee ballot:  "Hung over"

[Ban my account ffs!]

In Minnesota, all employers MUST give every employee at least one hour of time off to vote.  But I, too, agree that election day should be a holiday.. one of celebrating the single most important achievement in the history of human freedom.

[MODU]

In Minnesota, all employers MUST give every employee at least one hour of time off to vote.  But I, too, agree that election day should be a holiday.. one of celebrating the single most important achievement in the history of human freedom.

I'll go with that.  Of course, people will still come up with an excuse for failing to participate.

[perdedor]

It sounds like a hassle. I would be much more in favor of making election day a national holiday, or better yet, just moving it to the weekend. I am not vastly informed about the history of our nation, but I never understood this ridiculous practice of holding elections on Tuesdays.

[Hash]

Voting in France is always on a Sunday IIRC.

[Friz]

Wouldn't make much of a difference, and I wouldn't be surprised if LESS voters turned out if they had a week instead of one day.

[Хahar 🤔]

If people can't be bothered to turn out, it's better that they don't.

[jokerman]

Election Day should be a national holiday, in my opinion.

[Verily]

It sounds like a hassle. I would be much more in favor of making election day a national holiday, or better yet, just moving it to the weekend. I am not vastly informed about the history of our nation, but I never understood this ridiculous practice of holding elections on Tuesdays.

Given that the average worker did not originally have the right to vote anyway, it makes perfect sense.

[Хahar 🤔]

It sounds like a hassle. I would be much more in favor of making election day a national holiday, or better yet, just moving it to the weekend. I am not vastly informed about the history of our nation, but I never understood this ridiculous practice of holding elections on Tuesdays.

Given that the average worker did not originally have the right to vote anyway, it makes perfect sense.

It was so that people did not have to travel on the Sabbath (precincts for most enfranchised people used to be a day away).

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

So aka, it's REALLY outdated.

[MODU]

Wouldn't make much of a difference, and I wouldn't be surprised if LESS voters turned out if they had a week instead of one day.

You increase the potential for influencing the election through voter manipulation by keeping polls opened for a week.  This is why new media do not report exit polls for East Coast states before the polls in Hawaii close now.