Making November 2nd A National Holiday

[cincinnati_liberal]

I am starting a petition this spring(once the weather becomes negotiable) to make November 2 a national holiday. This year in Ohio countless voters were turned away due to having a real life that involves such trivial things like jobs and children. The vast majority of which were indeed Democratic voters. There is no excuse people hsould have to wait in line 7 or 9 hours to participate in our democracy. It is my understanding measures such these only require 50,000 signatures in the state of Ohio. For others, I'm not quite as sure. I can't think of a single person who wouldn't want another day off, especially if it means we get to vote. If we can't petition this we should at least write our Congressmen. I really hope this gets done, we have another two years until the next election, let's be productive.

[LisaM]

1. Good idea, but you might want to state "First Tuesday in November"

Elections aren't always on November 2!

[k8conant]

8. First Tuesday AFTER the first Monday...

never on All Saints' Day. :evilgrin:

[cincinnati_liberal]

10. Though the Religious Might Buy That Crap

We could use that as a selling point to the right wingers. yay!

[imenja]

14. Nov. 2 is All Soul's Day

Nov. 1 is All Saint's Day

[politicaholic]

2. But, but, that'll cost the economy billions of dollars!!!

Capitalism first, damn common sense!

[cincinnati_liberal]

3. That's what they will say, but...

it' won't be up to them, it will be up to the people. I have thought this through, and I think it's a step we need to take to ensure our freedoms. Shit, in a few years they could get rid of over time pay and work people ten or twelve hours that day and then no poor people would vote. They'll do it if they can, and if we let them.

[politicaholic]

4. You are absolutely right...

Maybe you should petition to put voting machines exclusively in Walmart stores since we'll all be working for them anyway.

[cincinnati_liberal]

5. No, the geriatrics and the handicapped get those jobs

Maybe if we eat paint chips and become retarded we'll get jobs.

[intheflow]

13. Trade Columbus Day in for Election Day.

That way the economy doesn't suffer any more or less, and we take a step closer to saving the soul of America by not having a national holiday to celebrate a greedy genocidal maniac.

Oh, wait. This administration identifies with greedy genocidal maniacs. x(

[imenja]

6. you mean election day, right?

not Nov. 2 in particular? Some years, Nov. 2 will fall on a Sat or Sun. By the way, it's the Day of All Souls on the Catholic Calendar, what Mexicans called the Day of the Dead.

[cincinnati_liberal]

7. Okay Yes I Mean Election Day

OK OK I know I fucked up, everybody wants to split hairs. Of course I mean election day, no November 2 just bears such a beautiful late fall break from reality. Yes, Election Day.

[imenja]

9. it's not splitting hairs if you're working on a bill

It has to be worded correctly or it's not going to be effective. And I don't think you need to be so defensive about it. I assume you want to have your language worked out before you approach your legislators.
Anyway, I agree it is an important reform to make.

[BRLIB]

11. Excellent idea, election day, cause

rich can vote anytime as their "money works for them", poor have to show up to a job to make ends meet. (And absentee is not exactly easy).

But what about walmart-type workers, who may observe no holiday?

[bluestateguy]

12. Debbie Stabenow had a bill to do this two years ago

It was ignored.

[intheflow]

15. I like the idea of election day as a holiday.

I'll participate.

I remember I told a boss once that I was going to be a little late for my night job because I had to go vote. He just looked at me like I was nuts. But at least he let me go. And I didn't have to wait in hours-long lines.

Welcome to DU, cincinnati_liberal! :hi:

[proudbluestater]

16. I would call it a National Day of Mourning

because, with the fascists running this country, it's doubtful we will ever enjoy a fair election again. They've been perfecting their tactics since 2000, they are not about to stop now.

[Raster]

17. If we went to a national vote-by-mail system, we wouldn't need the

the holiday. Oregon's vote-by-mail-only program had 87% participation of qualified voters, provided a built-in paper trail with almost no spoilage or error and cost approximately 35% less then a traditional election. Accurate, efficient and secure. This is one solution.

Here's another. Let's do make the first Tuesday in November a national election holiday and let's borrow the existing ATMs all across America and use them as the voting infrastructure. ATMs as voting machines, using a a one-time use voting card and pin number.

[RafterMan]

18. Why not just vote on the weekend?

[Raster]

19. actually, allow early voting over a friday, saturday, sunday and monday...

culminating with national election day which would be a holiday