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alp227

(33,361 posts) Fri Feb 17, 2017, 12:43 AM Feb 2017

California bill would make Election Day a state holiday [View all]

Source: San Jose Mercury News

SACRAMENTO – Many Californians would no longer have to worry about squeezing a trip to the polls into their working day if a bill proposed by a Silicon Valley-area lawmaker becomes law.

Assembly Bill 674, from Evan Low, D-Cupertino, would make November general elections a holiday for schools and state workers as a way to boost voter turnout. Private businesses would not be required to close, but Low said he hoped many would choose to give their employees the day off.

“I think this will ensure that more people will be able to participate in the electoral process,” Low said in an interview Thursday.

Read more: http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/02/16/california-bill-would-make-election-day-a-state-holiday/

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California bill would make Election Day a state holiday [View all] alp227 Feb 2017 OP

California makes voting absentee extremely easy also still_one Feb 2017 #1

which is a major reason it takes weeks to tally. n/t SleeplessinSoCal Feb 2017 #12

I have no problem with that, because they insure that every vote counts still_one Feb 2017 #19

California showing the way once again. tenorly Feb 2017 #2

Yes indeedy! calimary Feb 2017 #13

Yes! Election Day SHOULD be a national holiday. Hortensis Feb 2017 #25

Republicans would rather sacrifice a first-born and let their mistresses have the baby than allow it tenorly Feb 2017 #26

I remember when hard-core conservative usually Hortensis Feb 2017 #29

Same here. tenorly Feb 2017 #30

KnR Hekate Feb 2017 #3

Given that over half of Californians Retrograde Feb 2017 #4

Well, If people have the day off they could set up Doreen Feb 2017 #6

Exactly! Fairs and live shows and food festivals. Let's make voting an event. I like it. Midnight Writer Feb 2017 #15

Like I said though we need ALL parties feel welcome. Doreen Feb 2017 #24

Lighten Up Retrograde..... global1 Feb 2017 #9

I agree! And as a Californian, I will be happy to see us lead the way! Silver Gaia Feb 2017 #11

The proposed law only affects state employees Retrograde Feb 2017 #16

That's awesome! Election day bbq's, election day Twilight zone marathons, election day celebrations! C Moon Feb 2017 #5

It' a very good idea ProudLib72 Feb 2017 #7

Every Blue State Should Follow California's Lead On This And Do The Same..... global1 Feb 2017 #8

They need to setup the voting so its over a 2 week period imo. cstanleytech Feb 2017 #10

We already have that, and have had for years Retrograde Feb 2017 #17

I'm talking about the polling stations, they should set them up for 2 weeks. nt cstanleytech Feb 2017 #18

Good luck getting schools to commit TWO WEEKS. alp227 Feb 2017 #34

I honestly dont see a problem with it as they wouldnt need to set aside as large an area as they do cstanleytech Feb 2017 #35

We need paper ballots only. halobeam Feb 2017 #14

Philly used to have it as a holiday years ago BumRushDaShow Feb 2017 #20

It should be declared a federral holiday, too. Nitram Feb 2017 #21

You know, I love this idea. but I worry people will take a vacation instead of voting. Nitram Feb 2017 #22

So arrest or fine them if they don't vote ? n/m MichMan Feb 2017 #27

A fine will do. It's a civic duty that every citizen is required to do. Nitram Feb 2017 #37

Maybe you could even garnish SS checks of seniors and the disabled? MichMan Feb 2017 #39

Great news! IntraPolitico Feb 2017 #23

Wonder how many would plan other activities instead of voting ? MichMan Feb 2017 #28

Now they just need to make releasing taxes a prerequisit Blue Idaho Feb 2017 #31

I think this would make it harder for a lot marlakay Feb 2017 #32

Eh, people are still gonna want to get their coffee, shop, and go out to eat. threethirteen Feb 2017 #33

K&R! Excellent idea! Rhiannon12866 Feb 2017 #36

home sweet home nocalflea Feb 2017 #38