This article is about the general term "election day" worldwide. Over 60 court cases reviewed the evidence and judgesappointed by both Republican and Democratic presidents alikereached the same conclusion: there was no compelling evidence of fraud. Until 2009, elections were held over several consecutive Sundays. And. Concentrating voters into a single day risks congesting polling places, even more so than some already are. At least 10 dead after winter storm slams South, Midwest, The Saturday Six: Dental device controversy, scientist's bug find and more, Indonesia fuel depot fire kills 18; more than a dozen missing, Biden had cancerous skin lesion removed last month, doctor says, Tom Sizemore, actor known for "Saving Private Ryan" and "Heat," dies at 61, Defense lawyers in Idaho killings case want gag order kept, Alex Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison for murders of wife and son. In the 2016 presidential election, 60% of the eligible voting population vast a vote; this year, a staggering 47.5%participated in the midterms, compared to 37% in 2014 and 41% in 2010, the years of other midterm elections. 4) The outliers are few but tell you a lot about those countries. Saturday, but can be any day of the week, such as when a Saturday conflicts with a holiday. National and Festival Holiday Act, which is applicable to all establishments in the country, irrespective of under which law it is formed it is mandatory to grant leave on following 3 days, i.e. October 26, 2020 / 10:57 AM From 2021, the first Sunday of June. For starters, the United States is rather unique in that it schedules its election day on a weekday, let alone a Tuesday. Should People Who Have Completed Felony Sentences Be Allowed to Vote? This year, Election . An ordinary act of Congress could move Election Day to a Saturday or make it a holiday, thereby giving more people more . "And we actually have more options than ever before.". 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. Countries that have weekend or holiday elections do tend to have better turnout overall. All federal elections take place the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. 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. [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. Start the discussion over on our Facebook page, and let us know about civic engagement in your town, state, or country! Sunday: first Sunday of February for the President, Vice-President, and Legislative Assembly; second Sunday of February for municipal elections. Let us make it as easy as we can," Sanders told CBS News. South Korea and Israel hold theirs during the week, but have made the day a federal holiday. 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. 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. a list of voting rights provisions he would support. Even among the nine weekday voting countries, South Korea's and Israel's voters take a day off work on the day of the election to ensure higher electoral participation. [31]. Like Perez, Becker thinks giving voters more time and opportunity to vote is the best approach. A simple but effective change, however, could be made in election timing. In 2007, the country held the world's first general Internet election. 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. Have you experienced an election day in another country, or do you know how voting works in a place we haven't mentioned here? 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. 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. 2020, Virginia. 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. Consider the pandemic, which has not given essential workers more time off. Others have suggested making Veterans Day (Nov. 11), which is already a paid national holiday, Election Day. [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. 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. In Estonia, a national ID card (required for every citizen in the country) can be used to vote remotely. In fact, in Estonia, the option tovoteonlineis becoming increasingly popular. "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. 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. But in many other countries, the government automatically registers voters and holds elections on days that are weekend days or national holidays. South Africa's is from the first democratic elections, in 1994. We are the only advanced democracy that makes it deliberately difficult for people to vote. 325 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 200 Making the presidential election a national holiday is another way to get people to the polls. There is a "need to make voting more accessible, to make it more of a civic duty, to make sure that people don't have to choose between their job and their ability to cast the ballot are issues that are more prominent today than ever before," she told CBS News. This article was published more than10 years ago. Election Day is the day for general elections of public officials in the U.S. 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 are some exceptions; as Wednesday was not covered by the available dates, the Netherlands holds elections on Thursday, while Denmark holds elections on Sunday. Because of the pandemic, more U.S. voters are exploring alternatives to voting on Election Day, such as early voting and mail-in voting. This is partially due to the influence of Protestantism, which historically set restrictions on activities other than church-going during the Sabbath (usually considered as falling on a Sunday). 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. 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. 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. Read more: You can take time off from work to vote in 30 states here's the full list. In some states where they don't have mail-in ballots, voting can take a lot of time out of the day. 2020 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. One major reason: It comes down to tradition, Troy said. In the US, Election Day is not a national holiday. Canada's turnout is about the same as the United States', with an average of 68%, and though one canton in Switzerland has a compulsory voting law, for the country as a whole turnout is around 49%, one of the lowest rates in OECD countries. Election Day in the United States of America is the Tuesday following the first Monday in November. WASHINGTON, June 24 (Reuters) - Election Day should be a holiday for workers in the United States, President Joe Biden said on Thursday. 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. We also know that countries that have marked their election days as federal events see higher voting turnouts than the United States. Delaware, Hawaii, Kentucky, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, Rhode Island and New York have also made Election Day into a state holiday. Traditionally elections are held over two days, starting on a Friday afternoon and ending the following Saturday afternoon. And some countries, like Australia, require people to vote by subjecting those who dont to a minor fine equivalent to a traffic ticket. Third Monday of October every four years, or after Parliament is dissolved by the. All rights reserved. Turning Election Day into a national holiday would instill a sense of pride in all citizens, knowing they have the ability to cast a ballot regardless of work. (And in case youre curious, November was chosen as the month for similar reasons: It was after fall harvest was over but before the cold winter weather set in.). Vote.org CEO Andrea Hailey agrees. 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. High turnout means that people are successfully exercising their rights-a good in itselfbut it also ensures the continuing health of majority rule. 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. Because Saturday and Sunday are Sabbath days for devout Jews and Christians, elections would probably have to be held over the two-day period creating a need for more poll workers and a process for securing ballots overnight, Victoria Shineman, a University of Pittsburgh political science professor, wrote in The Washington Post. Israel and South Korea hold their elections on weekdays, but they're national holidays. On Sunday, Virginia Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam signed into law a measure that, among other things, makes Election Day a state holiday in the commonwealth. CBS News reporter covering climate change and energy. Compulsory voting does not necessarily guarantee 100% turnout rates, however, though they still see higher rates than countries which do not require it. [31][32] Trying one of these alternatives would avoid the negative economic impact of closing businesses for Election Day. 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. Countries outpacing the U.S. include the U.K, Mexico and Canada. [1], An election day usually culminates in an election night when the results of the election are tallied and winners are announced.[2]. February 26, 2023, 5:06 AM. Puerto Rico's voter turnout has gone as high as 80 . Because the impact of a federal holiday is far-reaching, many states and workplaces would likely follow suit. "Election Day really definitely does need to be a holiday," she said, adding, "We need to be able to have everybody feel like they have a great stake in it.". Of these countries, 27 hold their national elections on a weekend. South Korea and Israel hold theirs during the week, but have made the day a federal holiday. US voter turnout trails most developed countries. 25, 2016, Chris Talgo, "Make Election Day a National Holiday? 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. 2) Most other countries are shaped by relatively recent revolutions. But they never go far and die in committee without a vote. Learn how and when to remove this template message, Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, 2020 North Macedonian parliamentary election, "THE ELECTORAL CODE OF THE REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA. [25], According to the AFL-CIO, 30 states require employers to allow employees time off for voting. https://www.britannica.com/question/Should-election-day-be-made-a-national-holiday. 1. 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. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. OK, so why Tuesday? Reformers will be far more successful adding a few days or options or opportunities than trying to undo Election Day.. "While this would not be a cure-all, it would indicate a national commitment to create a more vibrant democracy.". Argentina has instated compulsory voting laws, but only sees about 76% voter turnout. These include national, state, and local government representatives at all levels up to the president. In Switzerland, only one canton (or member state) requires voting; it is voluntary all other cantons of the country. Tuesday was chosen because it was most convenient for farmers traveling by horse and buggy at the time. So, focusing voting efforts to one day doesn't do enough to accommodate everyone, Becker argues. The result is voter turnout rates of 72.3% and 77.2% respectively, which is 26-32% higher than the United States. [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'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. 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. 26 th January (Republic Day), 15 th August (Independence Day) and 2 nd October (Gandhi Jayanti). Operated 24:7 through the week. While countries like Belgium, Sweden, and Turkey saw more than 80% of their estimated voting-age population cast votes in recent elections, less than 56% of the estimated voting-age population. Update: Some readers think that Ireland should also be considered an outlier, as St. Patrick's Day is often considered its primary "national day" and is not really an independence or revolution day. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. [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). There are many ways to boost voter turnout expanding early voting, automatically registering voters, and improving civic education programs . Proponents say the Electoral College ensures everyone selects the president. Keep in mind that in the mid-1800s, the U.S. was largely an agricultural society. 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. Hailey said the country needs a "cultural shift" to prioritize voting. The ideal solution is simple: Congress should make Election Day a national holiday, or move Election Day to the weekend. the Tuesday that occurs within November 2 to November 8. According to the country's website detailing their "digital society," online voting has soared from 1.9% in 2005 to 30.5% in 2015. Plus, some experts say moving to weekend voting could substantially increase the cost of running elections. John M. Cunningham, "Why Are U.S. A Pew Research Center analysis finds that 27 of the 36 member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development hold their national elections on the weekend, . 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 designateelection day a national holiday. Such a change would mostly benefit white-collar workers instead of the lower-income workers its designed to help. Georgia grassroots groups helped Biden win. Think about that: In most of the world, the sense of national identity is shaped by the act of cutting, or in some cases violently throwing off, the chains of colonialism. Voter turnout in the U.S. is generally quite low, trailing behind that of other developed democracies around the world, according to another Pew study. For more on the debate about making election day a national holiday, visit ProCon.org. Election Day is a US State Holiday observed on several states on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November every even-numbered year. Election dates are determined by the General Elections Commission (Indonesian: Typically on a Friday, but precise date set by, Municipal, provincial, and regional elections take place on a Sunday, as do elections for the. [ 18][ 19] Con 1 So far this year, hundreds of bills have been introduced that could have the effect of suppressing peoples right to vote. Runoffs take place on the last Sunday of the same October. 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.