Comments on: Voting for the Weekend

By: superdestroyer

superdestroyer — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 18:19:23 +0000

AS the U.S. becomes a one party state, does it really matter how many people vote. This is just another example of liberal democrats fighting old battles (that blacks and Hispanics vote are lower rates than whites) when in reality blacks will probably vote as higher rates in 2008 and white voter turnout will continue to decline given who there is no candidate for fiscal conservatives to vote for.

Until someone calucates how many will go to the polls a week from Tuesay when there is not one competative election in thier district, there is no point to talk about getting more people to vote.

By: lotusflwr

lotusflwr — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 05:05:36 +0000

Election Day should be a national holiday every year.

By: Ron Beasley

Ron Beasley — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 01:47:04 +0000

As you know Jazz I'm a big fan of the system we have here in Oregon – vote by mail. Nearly ever elegible voter in Oregon had received their ballot by Monday of this week. We have until election day to mail them in or drop them of at one of the many polling stations – white mail boxes in front of city hall or the library. It saves money, it's convienient and voter participation is up. In the 10 years we have been doing it this way there have been no instances of fraud.

By: pacatrue

pacatrue — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 01:13:40 +0000

I think the major issue with multiple day voting is the effect of media results on the election itself. It's hard enough keeping a lid on results until the polls close on a single day. What's the chance of keeping everyone quiet for 3 days?

That said, I have no problem with a move to a weekend day.

By: PattonGuy

PattonGuy — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 00:47:23 +0000

I know that as a college student, not having to vote absentee would be kinda nice. I have class on Tuesdays, and it takes about two hours for me to get home. So voting on Tuesdays is impractical. But being able to vote over the weekend would help me. I like it. I'm sure that there's a downside, but I'll leave that to more perceptive people.

By: Holly_in_Cincinnati

Holly_in_Cincinnati — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 00:32:09 +0000

I like Athena's Option 2 Election Day = National Holiday and the 3 day window Jazz proposed. Better yet, a one week window.

Friday: Muslim Sabbath
Saturday: Jewish Sabbath (sundown Friday to sundown Saturday)
Sunday: Christian Sabbath

By: AustinRoth

AustinRoth — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 23:32:38 +0000

Voting isn't just for Tuesday's anymore.

Now, between mail-in, online and early voting, lots of people (myself included) will have voted long before November 4. In fact, My son is coming home from college this weekend for just that reason, and our entire family is going to go out and vote together.

By: athenalong

athenalong — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 23:22:45 +0000

Hey Folks =]

I remember hearing someone in the last few weeks on Fox say that elections are NEVER determined by the majority, and that he preferred that young people didn't vote at all in this election because they were 'ignorant and misinformed' (because they were largely supporting Barack).

There are two things I've always thought about, but know that the government would never do:

1 - Move election day to Saturday. - There are a few reasons why many would protest, and one reason could be because it is the Sabbath for many people and they would not be able to participate (but they could also early vote if possible, or absentee, but it would force them to find alternatives)

2 - Keep it on Tuesday
Just make Super Tuesday REALLY SUPER, and make it a national holiday/day of service. I work as a chief election judge, and although it is very hard work, I believe it's important. And it's not EVERY weekend. This, of course, would be for national elections only, and once again I stress - WOULD ONLY BE A QUADRENNIAL OCCASION.

I don't believe that it's that hard to do, it's just that, let's be real: THEY DO NOT -WANT- TO increase voter participation.

Because CHANGE happens when people get involved.