HuskyCaucasian Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 A comment made in the General Election thread made me think this might be a good debate. Should the United States dump one of the "minor" holidays and replace it with an Election Day holiday? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 Problem with your suggestion is, you replace a minor holiday (which means, few people actually get the day off), with a major one (most people get the day off), you are taking away productivity in the economy. But, overall, I actually think this is a good idea. I'd get rid of Columbus Day, which is more of an insult (and a historically inaccurate one) than a holiday anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuskyCaucasian Posted October 13, 2008 Author Share Posted October 13, 2008 QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Oct 13, 2008 -> 12:48 PM) Problem with your suggestion is, you replace a minor holiday (which means, few people actually get the day off), with a major one (most people get the day off), you are taking away productivity in the economy. But, overall, I actually think this is a good idea. I'd get rid of Columbus Day, which is more of an insult (and a historically inaccurate one) than a holiday anyway. I vote to merge Veterans Day and Memorial into a single observance on May and use the gap in November left behind by Veterans Day and make election day holiday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lostfan Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Oct 13, 2008 -> 01:51 PM) I vote to merge Veterans Day and Memorial into a single observance on May and use the gap in November left behind by Veterans Day and make election day holiday. Veterans Day is Armistice Day from WWI, FWIW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Oct 13, 2008 -> 12:51 PM) I vote to merge Veterans Day and Memorial into a single observance on May and use the gap in November left behind by Veterans Day and make election day holiday. If any politician ever suggested merging those two holidays, they'd never be elected to office again. And I think its a bad idea anyway. The importance of those two holidays, IMO, is right in line with the importance of voting - it is what makes this country great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuskyCaucasian Posted October 13, 2008 Author Share Posted October 13, 2008 QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Oct 13, 2008 -> 12:55 PM) If any politician ever suggested merging those two holidays, they'd never be elected to office again. And I think its a bad idea anyway. The importance of those two holidays, IMO, is right in line with the importance of voting - it is what makes this country great. I agree on your first point about elected officials. But as someone who has been involved in organizing Memorial Day Observances, these events are as much about living veterans then the dead ones. The point of Veterans Day is to remember those who are living. Memorial Day practically already is a merged holiday. Let's leave this debate for another day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoSox05 Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 It could be on a saturday too. Not everyone has saturday off, but it would help alot of people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soxy Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 My mom works for the state and gets election day off so she can vote early and often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigSqwert Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 QUOTE (Soxy @ Oct 13, 2008 -> 02:44 PM) My mom works for the state and gets election day off so she can vote early and often. Heh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 I would love to see election day a holiday. The thing is I bet it would make a minimal difference in voter turnout in the long run. People who want to vote, will vote. Those who don't, won't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soxy Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Oct 13, 2008 -> 02:50 PM) Heh True story. And a word for word quote out of her mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Oct 13, 2008 -> 02:59 PM) I would love to see election day a holiday. The thing is I bet it would make a minimal difference in voter turnout in the long run. People who want to vote, will vote. Those who don't, won't. Probably a small increase, but you're right, not a huge one. I think it has another benefit, though. It gets people thinking about it, and taking it more seriously in their lives. Organizations and communities can host discussions and panels where people talk it out, before going to the booth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Oct 13, 2008 -> 03:02 PM) Probably a small increase, but you're right, not a huge one. I think it has another benefit, though. It gets people thinking about it, and taking it more seriously in their lives. Organizations and communities can host discussions and panels where people talk it out, before going to the booth. I know Indiana already holds open polls from 6 am to 6pm plus early voting to whoever asks for a ballot. It is pretty much the easiest thing on the planet to do anymore, and we still have less than half of the country accounted for. I just don't see it making a big difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmags Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 I'm anxious to see how this early voting helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soxbadger Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 I posted about this in the other thread, but I think that every 4 years having an extra day or half day off would not drastically hurt the economy. I dont think that every election is that important, but Presidential elections are and its especially important to note that every state has different laws regarding the right to vote and employment. Normal elections its irrelevant as most votes are for people who will only represent a state, thus since all voters who vote on Illinois senators, reps etc are bound by the same rules on voting its fair. But in the Presidential election its a national election. So if 1 state allows people 2 hours off to vote and another state offers no time to vote, the people in one state have different rights than the other even though its for a national election. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 There are alternative ideas that could be done also. For example...just actually reward people for showing up, even if they don't cast a vote for the top office. Take an extra $20 out of everyone's taxes once every 4 years. Rebate that to the person if they show up and vote. Wouldn't you make sure you showed up if there was something else in it for you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFan562004 Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 When I worked for McHenry County we got every other election day off, if I still worked there I would get this one coming up off, it was epic and I taunted all of my friends. I don't really think it should be a holiday. I get up a 1/2 hour earlier and vote in the morning, worst case scenario if I was a little late because the polls were busy my boss wouldn't give me s*** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigSqwert Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 QUOTE (SoxFan562004 @ Oct 13, 2008 -> 03:31 PM) I don't really think it should be a holiday. I get up a 1/2 hour earlier and vote in the morning, worst case scenario if I was a little late because the polls were busy my boss wouldn't give me s*** So your reasoning is that since your boss and your specific schedule allowed for relative ease to vote, no one should get the full day or half a day off to do the same? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFan562004 Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Oct 13, 2008 -> 03:40 PM) So your reasoning is that since your boss and your specific schedule allowed for relative ease to vote, no one should get the full day or half a day off to do the same? Probably not the greatest reasoning, but I think situations can be worked out. Maybe increasing the prevelance of absentee balloting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr_genius Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Oct 13, 2008 -> 04:19 PM) There are alternative ideas that could be done also. For example...just actually reward people for showing up, even if they don't cast a vote for the top office. Take an extra $20 out of everyone's taxes once every 4 years. Rebate that to the person if they show up and vote. Wouldn't you make sure you showed up if there was something else in it for you? no way. if someone needs to be bribed to vote they need to just stay at home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr_genius Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Oct 13, 2008 -> 01:48 PM) Problem with your suggestion is, you replace a minor holiday (which means, few people actually get the day off), with a major one (most people get the day off), you are taking away productivity in the economy. But, overall, I actually think this is a good idea. I'd get rid of Columbus Day, which is more of an insult (and a historically inaccurate one) than a holiday anyway. is columbus day a major holiday? i never get it off Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmags Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 Those lazy bums at ProPublica took it off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 QUOTE (mr_genius @ Oct 13, 2008 -> 06:07 PM) is columbus day a major holiday? i never get it off No, its a minor one, that was kind of my point. I've never had it off either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bones Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 QUOTE (mr_genius @ Oct 13, 2008 -> 06:06 PM) no way. if someone needs to be bribed to vote they need to just stay at home. Agreed. Bad idea. Back on topic. I don't see how 1 day off every 2 or 4 years to allow people more opportunity to take part in their civic duty could hurt. I say get rid of Presidents Day and/or Columbus Day and replace it with Election Day even on Midterm election years. Also, what does everyone think of having a National Primary? I'm somewhat conflicted on whether it would be good or bad for the process. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DukeNukeEm Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 Also, what does everyone think of having a National Primary? I'm somewhat conflicted on whether it would be good or bad for the process. Bad. Way bad. The first few states in the process will basically elect a president every year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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