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 or polling day is the day on which general elections are held. Rose Marcario, CEO, stated, demonstrating your companys commitment to voting will reinforce how essential it is that every eligible voter shows up. Most National Days are fixed, exceptions to this are shown below. 2. Pew also found that certain issues motivate voters more than others: "health care, poverty and education are the top motivators for political engagement." From 2021, the first Sunday of June. Australia sees around 91%, and 94% in Singapore. NOW WATCH: Arianna Huffingtons advice to Hillary Clinton, the majority of US states have voter leave laws, You can take time off from work to vote in 30 states here's the full list, voted during the 2016 presidential election, experts say such a scheme is unlikely to fly in the US, The evolution of American voting rights in 242 years shows how far we've come and how far we still have to go, In an interview with President Barack Obama in 2016. In many other democracies around the world, national elections are held on the weekend or are a federal 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. In many countries, general elections are always held on a Saturday or Sunday, to enable as many voters as possible to participate; while in other countries elections are always held on a weekday. These numbers also may be indicative of higher turnout for major elections, but may not reflect engagement in local or regional elections. A large Democratic voting rights bill that would have made Election Day a national holiday collapsed in the Senate this year when two senators refused to join their own party in changing. But it is not a federal holiday. Think about it. Traditionally on weekends. 3. Executive director and founder of the Center for Election Innovation & Research David Becker argues that increasing turnout is a nuanced problem that can't be fixed by declaring a holiday. During the 2016 presidential election, less than 56% of the estimated voting-age population in the US voted. Furthermore, making this small shift would celebrate the purpose and sacrifice of our fighting forces. 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. [33], Henry Farber, PhD, Hughes-Rogers Professor of Economics at Princeton University, conducted an analysis of states that made Election Day a holiday for state employees. Proponents say teens are knowledgeable enough to vote. [14][35] In Australia, where voting is mandatory, elections are celebrated with parties and barbeques nationwide, resulting in turnout rates around 90%. The number of early votes cast before Election Day 2020, as of Nov. 1, neared the 100 million mark according to data aggregated by the U.S. [3] In 1800, 83% of the American labor force was agrarian, but today only 11% of total US employment is agriculture-related. 2 men found drugged after leaving NYC gay bars were killed, medical examiner says, Battleground Tracker: Tight race in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Lindsey Graham appears before Georgia grand jury, House Jan. 6 committee is having conversations with Justice Department, Georgia grand jury investigating Trump wants testimony from Giuliani, Graham, Trump election interference grand jury to hear from Raffensperger, DHS IG says Wolf changed intel report on Russian interference in 2020. First published on October 26, 2020 / 10:57 AM. A cemetery posted a personal ad for a goose whose mate died. Experts told CBS News that it's no coincidence this is occurring in a year when Americans have more time and more ways to vote than ever before. He says it's more important to spread voting out over a period of days and methods. It's amazing how much of the map is green, indicating countries that celebrate a national independence day every year. Given this, an Election Day holiday would remove a significant barrier to participation for relatively well-to-do potential voters while doing little to make voting easier for a significant. ProCon.org is the institutional or organization author for all ProCon.org pages. In the United States, it varies from state to state and even county to county, so the idea that one entire country might use the same voting method is actually pretty unique to Americans! In some states where they don't have mail-in ballots, voting can take a lot of time out of the day. Georgia grassroots groups helped Biden win. The earliest possible date that Election Day can fall on is November 2nd, and the latest possible date is November 8th. 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%. Last week his office released a list of voting rights provisions he would support. There's nothing that would stop voters here from treating a Democracy Day like just another day off.". The United States has held federal elections on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years since 1845. as well as other partner offers and accept our. As Congress continues to grapple with voting rights legislation this week, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) has used his considerable influence as the Senates key swing vote to set the terms of the debate. ", Obama: "Absolutely. The name change required at least 50% voter participation, and opponents to the name change advocated not voting at all rather than voting against the measure. There is a simple and straightforward solution: make Election Day a national holiday so that people have the time and freedom to vote without taking time off from work. 27 September (Wednesday): Day of the French-speaking Community - commemorates the victory of the patriots against the Dutch army in Brussels in 1830. But while experts say such a scheme is unlikely to fly in the US, making it easier for people to vote would appear to be a step in the right direction. And even if it were a federal holiday, that wouldn't ensure that all voting-age Americans would have the day off. As for Denmark, it has a national liberation day and some people celebrate international worker's day, but neither is a public holiday. Sunday: first Sunday of February for the President, Vice-President, and Legislative Assembly; second Sunday of February for municipal elections. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Election officials in various states have predicted historic levels of turnout in 2020, with a chance to reach the highest ever. 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. [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. 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. 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. [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). 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. Think of things such as voter ID laws, lowering the voting age, and abolishing the Electoral College. Saudi Arabia's marks the 1932 unification of the country. ProCon.org. Election Day is not a national holiday in 2022, but some states require employees get paid time off to vote. [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. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. ABUJA, Nigeria -- Nigeria's election commission announced the first results late Sunday from the country's closely watched presidential election, but it could days . Some say a holiday would increase voter turnout by enabling more people to vote while celebrating democracy. With just about six in 10 voters turning out to vote in the U.S., some civil rights advocates are arguing that it's about time to give Americans the day off to vote. Here are five reasons why Election Day should be a national holiday. Part of HuffPost Home & Living. It would give people time to vote. Fourth Sunday of October immediately before the end of the current mandates. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Consider the pandemic, which has not given essential workers more time off. a list of voting rights provisions he would support. [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. Image 2. But some think it should be. "We should be making it easier for people to vote, not harder. 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. Read more: You can take time off from work to vote in 30 states here's the full list. That too is a reminder as to how new many of the ideas from that century, such as full enfranchisement and national self-determination, really are. Instead, lawmakers could simply move nearby Veterans Day to Election Day, emphasizing that voting is both a service to the country and a celebration of the rights and freedoms for which our servicemembers fight. 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. Such low voter turnout rates in the United States have various reasons why many Americans decide not to vote, but one main reason is not giving them time to vote and cast their ballots. According to the Pew Research Center, of the thirty-six nations in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the U.S. is one of nine that votes on a week day, and one of seven that doesn't designate election day a national holiday. Updates? An independence day is an annual event commemorating the anniversary of a nation's independence or statehood, usually after ceasing to be a group or part of another nation or state, or more rarely after the end of a military occupation.Many countries commemorate their independence from a colonial empire.. Not all countries mark independence as a national holiday. These include national, state, and local government representatives at all levels up to the president. Before that point, states could hold their presidential elections on any day within a certain 34-day window. [31][32] Trying one of these alternatives would avoid the negative economic impact of closing businesses for Election Day. [10][11]] Election Day isn't a national holiday in the US, but some people think it should be. 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. Sunday. Puerto Rico's voter turnout has gone as high as 80 . Regional Belgian public holidays during 2023. It's a reminder of turmoil of the last century a very short span in historical terms and how deeply its events influence the world today. Hailey said the country needs a "cultural shift" to prioritize voting. Vote.org has called on Amazon, Disney, McDonald's and others to offer paid time off for employees to vote and or work the polls. Early voting for the midterms varies by state. In previous elections, that percentage was even higher. [27], Companies including Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Farmers Insurance, Kaiser Permanente, Patagonia, and Walmart have joined Make Time to Vote campaign, which encourages employers to provide paid time off, schedule no meetings on Election Day, and give information on mail-in ballots and early voting. Should Election Day be a national holiday? While young people are generally less likely to vote, they are more motivated by the issue of freedom of speech than older generations. Newsweek subscription offers > "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. In 2018, a Pewstudy found that 65% of Americans favored making Election Day a national holiday. While these provisions represent major steps in the right direction, they are not enough. In the US, Election Day is not a national holiday. Some countries use electronic voting machines, such as India, while others rely on paper ballots, such as Zimbabwe. 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. 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. However, for the most part, most countries vote in person at the voting booth, and while countries may alter the length of election periods andthe equipment used in voting from election to election, it still tends to have many of the same features. Currently, 22 countries around the world have mandatory voting, and ten of those countries enforce the policy, including Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Peru, and Switzerland. What other improvements could be made to voting and Election Day? An ordinary act of Congress could move Election Day to a Saturday or make it a holiday, thereby giving more people more . Push for the position and policies you support by writing US national senators and representatives. "Election Day as a national holiday would mean things like perhaps reduced schedules for public transportation, schools being closed, hourly workers perhaps being incentivized to work more with time and a half. As of mid-May Republicans in 48 states have introduced 389 bills that would reduce the hours polls are open; forbid people from eating or drinking while waiting in line to vote; close voter registration on Sundays, when Black churches traditionally have organized their members to register and vote; repeal no excuse absentee voting; and create a long list of other barriers to voting. We're familiar with how voting works in the U.S.when we vote, how we vote, who we vote forbut do you know what voting is like in other countries around the world? Such a change would mostly benefit white-collar workers instead of the lower-income workers its designed to help. Disclaimer: Dates and Events correct at time of printing but may change without our knowledge. of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents and 59% of Republicans and GOP leaners said they would support making Election Day a national holiday. by country by date It would take an act of Congress to make Election Day a national holiday, and there is currently a bill proposing to designate "Democracy Day" as a national election holiday before a special committee. Voter turnout in the United States is usually considered low, especially in years without a presidential election. [14], Pew Research Center found that 71% of Democrats and 59% of Republicans support making Election Day a federal holiday. "Voting is a fundamental right,. For rest of the festival holidays the declaration . 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. [4][5], The United States currently has 10 national holidays, including Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Christmas Day. Georgias voter suppression bill is an assault on our democracy, Republicans in 48 states have introduced 389 bills, Tracking regulatory changes in the Biden era. On Sunday, Virginia Democratic Gov. Veterans Day typically is about one week after Election Day so this would involve little disruption in terms of job schedules and monthly routines. The US isn't the only developed country that faces this criticism, however. Modern life operates around the clock. 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. ], [Editors Note: The MLA citation style requires double spacing within entries. We also know that countries that have marked their election days as federal events see higher voting turnouts than the United States. The U.S. is one of only nine member nations that have weekday voting. 1. Mail-in voting starts 1 month before polls open. ], ProCon.org, "Election Day National Holiday Top 3 Pros and Cons,", ProCon.org, "Election Day National Holiday Top 3 Pros and Cons. Runoffs take place on the last Sunday of the same October. Roughly 138 million Americans voted in the 2016 presidential election, just 61.4% of the 214,109,360 million who were registered to vote, according to The U.S. Election Assistance Commission. Tuesday was chosen because it was most convenient for farmers traveling by horse and buggy at the time. The correct answer is B. Advertisement Advertisement marberman marberman Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Start the discussion over on our Facebook page, and let us know about civic engagement in your town, state, or country! In Thailand, one of the very few countries outside of Europe that was never formally colonized, the king's birthday is celebrated (don't insult him or you might go to jail, per the lese majeste laws). American election laws have been reformed before with minimal impact on voter turnout which remains low compared to other democracies around the world. [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. Third Monday of October every four years, or after Parliament is dissolved by the. Presidential elections are held every four years, in years divisible by four, while the elections to the . For example, in Ecuador, only literate citizens between 18 and 65 are required to vote; those over 65 or who are not literateare not required. Essential reporting and analysis from correspondents around the world. Should People Who Have Completed Felony Sentences Be Allowed to Vote? Election Day is a state holiday in Delaware, Hawaii, Kentucky, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and New York. the Tuesday that occurs within November 2 to November 8. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is a group that includes 36 countries. We are the only advanced democracy that makes it deliberately difficult for people to vote. Concentrating voters into a single day risks congesting polling places, even more so than some already are. Do you think it's time for the US to follow their lead? John M. Cunningham, "Why Are U.S. 3) Britain and Denmark have no national days. Portugal celebrates the 1580 death of celebrated national poet Luis de Camoes, Spain celebrates Columbus Day (yes, the holiday is a little controversial there as well, although not as much as in the U.S.), the Netherlands celebrates the queen's birthday but it still use her mother's birthday for the date and, in Greenland, the celebrate the longest day of the year. ", "National Electoral Code Article 53 and 148", Report of the 2014 National Lawyers Guild Bolivian Election Observation Delegation, Voting hours for elections in EU Member States, "The Parliamentary Electoral System in Denmark", Consultation Report on Review of Electoral Arrangements, "India Elects 2019: The World's Largest Election, Explained", "Six Nations match at the centre of row over election date - Independent.ie", "With full term possible, Netanyahu may outlast Ben-Gurion (and Obama)", Confessionalism and Electoral Reform in Lebanon, "Voters reminded not to reveal voting intention at Sunday's polling", "Malaysia's election on a Wednesday favors PM, opposition says", "Elections in Mexico and the US: Comparisons and contrasts", "Law on Election of Councillors and Members of Parliament", "Election Days General Elections 1853-2011", "The main features of the Norwegian electoral system", "Tribunal Electoral de Panam convoca a elecciones generales de 2024", "Peru Can Give U.S. October 26, 2020 / 10:57 AM In a number of states, polling places have been closed in minority neighborhoods, which has created long lines and tremendous inconvenience for affected votersinconvenience with a cost, especially for those paid hourly wages. Approximately two million people who work for the federal government would be given a paid day off, and private companies might follow suit. Japan formally celebrates the anniversary of an ancient mythical emperor, although the holiday is mostly ignored today, due in part to its connections with Japan's ugly imperial history. [8][15] A holiday for elections sidesteps the issue of a weekend election, which could conflict with religious obligations. All rights reserved. It was created in 1992,. To look through the stats for voter turnout for other countries, you can visit the website for the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) and explore the data. 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. Today in my country it is a national holiday as we celebrate the day when St. Paul converted our whole country to Catholicism in AD 60. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Washington's Birthday Memorial Day Flag Day Independence Day Constitution Day Election Day Veterans Day Bill of Rights Day Martin Luther King Jr. Day Martin Luther King, Jr. Day takes place on third Monday of January each year, near the time of Dr. King's birthday on January 15th. The outliers are a tiny minority, and only two countries have no formal national day at all. The types of workers least likely to reap the benefits of a federal holiday are those who already struggle to vote, Shineman noted. This year, Election . Saturday, but can be any day of the week, such as when a Saturday conflicts with a holiday. And she thinks corporate America has been leading the way, pointing out several businesses, including Walmart and Coca-Cola, that have announced paid time off and other accommodations to make voting easier for employees on November 3. Four more states only provide time off for biennial, even-year elections: Delaware, Louisiana, Michigan and New Hampshire. Sweden came second with 82.6%. Reformers will be far more successful adding a few days or options or opportunities than trying to undo Election Day.. 2020 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. The ideal solution is simple: Congress should make Election Day a national holiday, or move Election Day to the weekend. In 2018, the general election was held on Wednesday. Should the United States Use the Electoral College in Presidential Elections? 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. Voters in more than one-third of the country enjoy some form of an Election Day holiday, according to RepresentUs. Election day or polling day is the day on which general elections are held. Monday in early September. Election Day is always the first Tuesday after November 1st. Whether election day should be made a national holiday is debated. Again, it is not clear that this is demonstrably true but it is a widespread perception. Other politicians, businesses, and advocacy groups have voiced their approval of celebrating Election Day as a national holiday. Meanwhile, in Macedonia this past September, voters chose to stay away from the polls because of the proposed name change for the country. Consider the potential benefits and difficulties of changing election day. Presidential and semipresidential systems, Constituencies: districting and apportionment.