Sen. Clinton Pushes for Voting Holiday

[Catchawave]

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=512&u=/ap/20050218/ap_on_go_co/voting_machines_clinton&printer=1



Fri Feb 18,12:49 AM ET

By DEVLIN BARRETT, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (news - web sites), a possible White House candidate in 2008, joined 2004 nominee John Kerry (news - web sites) and other Democrats Thursday in urging that Election Day be made a federal holiday to encourage voting.

She also pushed for legislation that would allow all ex-felons to vote.

Standing with Massachusetts Sen. Kerry and other Democrats who had alleged voting irregularities in the 2004 contest, Clinton said, "Once again we had a federal election that demonstrates we have a long way to go."

"I think it's also necessary to make sure our elections meet the highest national standards," said the New York senator.

She and Kerry, both considered contenders for the 2008 nomination, were joined by Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones (news, bio, voting record), D-Ohio, and Sen. Barbara Boxer (news, bio, voting record), D-Calif., who forced a highly unusual House and Senate debate Jan. 6 on the presidential election results.

more........

[democracyindanger]

1. Great idea but I'd make it a weekend nt

[ck4829]

2. I wonder what the Republicans will say when they try to block it

[yellowcanine]

3. They will say a holiday invites more fraud. If people don't have to go to

work they will spend the whole day voting multiple times.

[beyurslf]

4. How does making it a holiday help? Most people do not get off for Fed

holidays. How many are working on Presidents Day next week (or whenever it is)?

I think a better idea is to increase access to Adavance voting and mail ballots as well as same day registration.

[Catchawave]

5. Wouldn't a holiday help the get out the vote effort?

Also, I'd like to see all polls open from midnight to midnight, and ban exit polls !

[usregimechange]

6. GOP won't like that! People could all vote than.

[Catchawave]

8. LOL....I forgot making it easier to vote.....

...works against the Republicans :) What was I thinking :::slapping my head:::

Edit: To slap my head

[MNAZ]

7. I would have thought this would have been a good idea...

because it would increase voter turnout. But after this past election, I don't know.

[Catchawave]

9. Exactly... I didn't understand how a holiday addresses

..voter fraud either.:shrug:

[Catchawave]

10. A funny afterthought to this article:

Election Day Holiday Sales...everyone will be at the Malls !