Robert Reich: How about we nix Presidents Day and make Election Day a national holiday instead?

[highplainsdem]

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[JustAnotherGen]

1. Why can't we have both?

[LiberalFighter]

2. That would be good.

The autos in the UAW have Election Day as a holiday in even-numbered years.

[dflprincess]

3. How many people actually get national holudays off?

Today schools, banks, & government offices are closed. The rest of us are working.

Most office workers still get Memorial, Independence, & Labor Days off, but retail workers are out of luck. Retail workers are lucky if they get Thanksgiving & Christmas Day off and I noticed several grocery stores in my area were open for part of Thanksgiving Day last year.

Just because a day on the calendar is listed as a holiday doesn't mean it really is. Election Day would not be any different. An extended voting period probably does more.

[marble falls]

4. Or just add election day as a holiday.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

5. Hard disagree. Expanding access to mail and early voting makes much more sense.

Election Day as a holiday would do little to help people who face the most obstacles to voting, and would likely make it even more difficult to vote. Retail, restaurant and low wage workers don't necessarily get holidays off -- and if they do and have a choice, they often take the overtime. Public transportation is reduced on holidays. The Post Office is closed. Kids aren't in school and parents who are working have to find alternate arrangements.