for CE
When discussing voting rights, many people overlook the simple idea that could have important implications: making Election Day a national holiday.
In recent years, Supreme Court decisions and local legislation have slowly chipped away the Voting Rights Act, decreasing access to voting. Nevertheless, politicians on both sides agree on the importance of civic engagement among citizens. However, the debate has morphed into a political point game, with each side claiming the other is anti-voting. The other side often responds by saying they are trying to secure elections and protect democracy.
This debate ultimately does not further the legitimate debate supporting voting rights. An action that would increase voting in the United States would be making Election Day a national holiday; this move would be a good starting point for honoring our democracy and increasing voter turnout.
Making Election Day a national holiday would renew commitment to our democracy. National holidays carry a large amount of significance in America. Election Day would join Veterans Day, MLK Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, Juneteenth and many more. After all, democracy functions on the people's voice; without the public voice, it falls apart. Making the day a national holiday would encourage more people to participate in democracy by increasing the symbolic value of the day.
That being said, one of the major arguments against this idea stems from economic concerns. A national holiday mandates federal workers be given paid time off. While giving federal employees paid time off costs taxpayers,the figure is insignificant considering the benefits. According to Forbes, the average cost for every federal holiday is 818 million dollars in salaries to federal employees. While this number may seem astronomical, there are 331.9 million people residing in the United States. On top of that, last year the federal government had a budget of 6.27 trillion dollars, making the 818 million dollars only .013% of the annual federal budget. While 818 million dollars may seem significant, it is not in context.
The relatively small cost of $818 million is only one way to look at it. Another relates to what society gains from making Election Day a national holiday: it would give all non-essential federal employees the day off. Dedicating a day so that people can complete their civic duty would allow public employers—and more citizens in general—to vote. Most employers give some federal holidays like 4th of July and Memorial Day off. Election day would fit naturally into these other holidays.
Overall, while making Election Day a national holiday is a good step, it is not the only thing that needs to be done. Most of the benefits would be symbolic which only goes so far. Other legislation that could help would be automatic voter registration or expanding voting rights. Either way, making Election Day a national holiday is an important step that should be taken in order to express America's commitment to its democracy.
When discussing voting rights, many people overlook the simple idea that could have important implications: making Election Day a national holiday.
In recent years, Supreme Court decisions and local legislation have slowly chipped away the Voting Rights Act, decreasing access to voting. Nevertheless, politicians on both sides agree on the importance of civic engagement among citizens. However, the debate has morphed into a political point game, with each side claiming the other is anti-voting. The other side often responds by saying they are trying to secure elections and protect democracy.
This debate ultimately does not further the legitimate debate supporting voting rights. An action that would increase voting in the United States would be making Election Day a national holiday; this move would be a good starting point for honoring our democracy and increasing voter turnout.
Making Election Day a national holiday would renew commitment to our democracy. National holidays carry a large amount of significance in America. Election Day would join Veterans Day, MLK Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, Juneteenth and many more. After all, democracy functions on the people's voice; without the public voice, it falls apart. Making the day a national holiday would encourage more people to participate in democracy by increasing the symbolic value of the day.
That being said, one of the major arguments against this idea stems from economic concerns. A national holiday mandates federal workers be given paid time off. While giving federal employees paid time off costs taxpayers,the figure is insignificant considering the benefits. According to Forbes, the average cost for every federal holiday is 818 million dollars in salaries to federal employees. While this number may seem astronomical, there are 331.9 million people residing in the United States. On top of that, last year the federal government had a budget of 6.27 trillion dollars, making the 818 million dollars only .013% of the annual federal budget. While 818 million dollars may seem significant, it is not in context.
The relatively small cost of $818 million is only one way to look at it. Another relates to what society gains from making Election Day a national holiday: it would give all non-essential federal employees the day off. Dedicating a day so that people can complete their civic duty would allow public employers—and more citizens in general—to vote. Most employers give some federal holidays like 4th of July and Memorial Day off. Election day would fit naturally into these other holidays.
Overall, while making Election Day a national holiday is a good step, it is not the only thing that needs to be done. Most of the benefits would be symbolic which only goes so far. Other legislation that could help would be automatic voter registration or expanding voting rights. Either way, making Election Day a national holiday is an important step that should be taken in order to express America's commitment to its democracy.