countries where election day is a national holiday

Obama Expresses Support For Making Election Day A National Holiday Should Election Day Be a Holiday? Here Are Some Pros and Cons 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. In an interview published Thursday, President Obama endorsed the idea of holding U.S. federal elections on weekends or national holidays. First published on October 26, 2020 / 10:57 AM. Will the party listen to them on the issues? 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 Switzerland, only one canton (or member state) requires voting; it is voluntary all other cantons of the country. [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. 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. 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. [25], According to the AFL-CIO, 30 states require employers to allow employees time off for voting. "Voting is a fundamental right,. The U.S. ranks 26th out of 32 for voter among Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development countries. 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. It is very, very hard to change core American traditions which Americans see not only as propping up their democracy but perpetuating its legitimacy, he said. Pew also found that certain issues motivate voters more than others: "health care, poverty and education are the top motivators for political engagement." This . Approximately two million people who work for the federal government would be given a paid day off, and private companies might follow suit. There are many ways to boost voter turnout expanding early voting, automatically registering voters, and improving civic education programs . 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. A lot of people go to work, or they're in school during the weekday. "We should be making it easier for people to vote, not harder. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Start the discussion over on our Facebook page, and let us know about civic engagement in your town, state, or country! Election Day - Tuesday, Nov. 8 - is a special day, with voters casting ballots across the country. 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. "While this would not be a cure-all, it would indicate a national commitment to create a more vibrant democracy.". 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 some states where they don't have mail-in ballots, voting can take a lot of time out of the day. In fact, in Estonia, the option tovoteonlineis becoming increasingly popular. Accessed February 21, 2023. https://www.procon.org/headlines/election-day-national-holiday-top-3-pros-and-cons/, potential benefits and difficulties of changing election day, election day should not be a national holiday. by country by date "Election Day National Holiday Top 3 Pros and Cons." Is Election Day a national holiday? Why you don't get the day off [ 17] Countries such as France, Mexico, and India also observe federal holidays for elections. 5 Reasons Election Day Should Be a National Holiday - Global Citizen Even people youd expect to know, like politicians, have been stumped by this very question. 5. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Office Holidays provides calendars with dates and information on public holidays and bank holidays in key countries around the world. It would give people time to vote. [16]. Why isn't Election Day a national holiday in the US? - KHOU Skip Navigation procon@eb.com, 2022 Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. 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. 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. 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. ", "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. [7] A handful of states have made election day a state holiday, including New York, Hawaii, Kentucky, and, in Apr. Not only would making Election Day a federal holiday increase voter turnout among Americans, which is something that politicians and citizens in general complain about often, but it . Election day should be a national holiday. Which type of claim is this [1], Over time, voting rights expanded from only white, male landowners age 21 and older to include women and people of color, as well as citizens age 18 and up, resulting in a dramatic increase in the voting-eligible population and a shift in voter demographics. Last week his office released a list of voting rights provisions he would support. [14][35] In Australia, where voting is mandatory, elections are celebrated with parties and barbeques nationwide, resulting in turnout rates around 90%. Would turnout go up if we didn't have to vote on a workday? A cemetery posted a personal ad for a goose whose mate died. And I think on Election Day we should have a national holiday which says, 'you don't have to rush to vote.' The outliers are a tiny minority, and only two countries have no formal national day at all. Public holidays in Belgium in 2022 and 2023 | Expatica 2020 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Here are the four things I found interesting about this once as I mapped it out: 1) Yes, most of the world was shaped by colonialism. Push for the position and policies you support by writing US national senators and representatives. Why are other countries better at conducting elections than we are? History of Election Day 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. 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. No: Too Inconvenient, Early-Voting Options Ample, orlandosentinel.com, Nov. 5, 2018, Henry Farber, "Increasing Voter Turnout: Is Democracy Day the Answer?, princeton.edu, Feb. 2009, Sarah Issenberg, "The Mystery of the Puerto Rico Voter, slate.com, Jan. 27, 2012, Paul LeBlanc, "Virginia Governor Makes Election Day a Holiday and Expands Early Voting,". All 435 representatives were up for re-election, as well as a third ofsenators, and countless elections for governors, mayors, state legislators, and local government across the country. As you can see, the world is mostly divided between countries that celebrate a national independence day and countries that celebrate a national unification or revolution day. The Freedom to Vote Act would make Election Day a national holiday for federal elections, meaning non-essential federal employees would get a paid day off. By Monday morning, nearly 60 million had already voted early across the country, closing in on half of 2016's total voter turnout. Some say a holiday would increase voter turnout by enabling more people to vote while celebrating democracy. 26K views, 1.2K likes, 65 loves, 454 comments, 23 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Citizen TV Kenya: #FridayNight Tuesday was selected because it was the most convenient. Keep in mind that in the mid-1800s, the U.S. was largely an agricultural society. 14, 2019, BBC, "Singapore Election: Governing Party Secure Decisive Win, bbc.com, Sep. 12, 2015, Holly Jackson, "It's Time to Make Election Day a Holiday in Law and Spirit," washingtonpost.com, Oct. 22, 2018, BCP Associates, "India Elections 2019 - Declaration of Paid Holiday on Polling Day, bcpassociates.com, Apr. 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. Presidential elections are held every four years, in years divisible by four, while the elections to the . 3. ", Others, however, are skeptical that creating a national holiday would increase voter turnout. [9], Former Editor-in-Chief of the Northwestern University Law Review, Beau C. Tremitiere, JD, stated, The demands of school and work schedules keep millions of Americans, especially those with children or long commutes, from ever getting to their polling stations The ideal solution is simple: Congress should make Election Day a national holiday, or move Election Day to the weekend. [10] A holiday would allow more citizens volunteer at polling places or drive the elderly to vote, and make a difference in states where long lines at the polls keep voters waiting for hours. It was created in 1992,. Should election day be made a national holiday? Maybe that could give us some hint as to the frequent foreign sensitivities and accusations, right or wrong, about Western foreign policy echoing old colonial practices. Elections are federal holidays in Singapore, which, when combined with mandatory voting, resulted in a voter turnout of 93.6% for the 2015 election of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. These efforts challenge fundamental values of American democracy and constitute a serious threat to the one person, one vote principle. High turnout means that people are successfully exercising their rights-a good in itselfbut it also ensures the continuing health of majority rule. Most others are not so recent, but still not so old: Taiwan's, for example, goes back to a 1911 uprising. But Gupta said that there's been a "lack of political will" to give the initiative some momentum. 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. 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. Take, for example, Bhutan, which every celebrates the anniversary of Ugyen Wangchuck's 1907 election as the nation's first hereditary king (yes, you read that correctly), but not its 1949 independence. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. There's nothing that would stop voters here from treating a Democracy Day like just another day off.". On U.S. Election Day, A Look At How Others Vote : NPR Theyare still considerably higher than in the United States, which typically sees about 65% on average turn out to vote for major elections. Topics Explainers Politics US Evergreen US Explainers YOU MIGHT LIKE 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. 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. Read More, Election Day is a holiday in Puerto Rico. ", "An overall look at Vietnam's election law", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Election_day&oldid=1136894393. Change often comes slowly, subtly. Nine states classify general elections as holidays: Florida, Hawaii, Maryland, Montana, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island and Virginia. We are very proud that we are mentioned in the Bible. It is very, very hard to change core American traditions.. A simple but effective change, however, could be made in election timing. $4+ Billion Cost To Give Federal Employees A New Paid Holiday - Forbes People literally cannot get to the polling booth because it may close at 7 o'clock and they're working later. While some states have made Election Day a civic holiday (though it primarily applies to public workers) and most have laws that require companies to give employees some time off to vote, none of the legislative efforts to enact these changes on a national level have been successful.
Are Quick Release Steering Wheels Legal In Pa, Articles C