Should elections be held on the weekends?

Question

The U.S. is 20th out of 21 in voter turnout among established democracies -- only Switzerland has lower voter turnout than turnout in U.S. presidential elections.

Turnout among potentially eligible voters in the U.S. in presidential elections is only 50-55%. Turnout in non-presidential years is far lower. By comparison, turnout is 70-75% in Canada and well over 80% in most other democracies. Even many fragile new democracies have turnout levels far higher than ours. Higher voter turnout is an important component towards government truly representing the will of the citizens.

Answer 1

You should see turnout when there isn't a President or Governor on the ballot.



No, elections should not be held on the weekends. The turnout would likely be lower. The polls are open long enough for people who wish to vote to vote. Besides if you don't have time to vote on elections day, you do have the option of casting an early vote or an absintee vote.

Answer 2

People don't vote because they don't want to and changing the day will NOT help. I have run for office a couple times and the number of people who refuse to register to vote because they think it will get them put on jury duty is significant as is the number who say it isn't worth their time is even higher.

The "new democracies" see higher turnouts because their people do not take the privilege for granted because they still know what it is like NOT to have a voice.

Answer 3

Do the other established democracies hold elections on weekends??????



I'm not sure that moving election day to a Saturday or Sunday will cure the apathy of the average US citizen. The sad truth is, in my opinion, that most Americans take our liberties for granted and simply can't be bother by social responsibility.

Answer 4

Yes. If elections are held on weekends government employees would not be given the day off. Elections should also be held over a two or three day period. That would give everyone a better chance to vote.

Answer 5

On the weekends, maybe or better yet, a national holiday on a Monday, say. Plus, it's a civic duty to participate, despite the paucity of qualified candidates. A third party would be a good idea but not on a national ticket until it had organized from the grassroots to be a legitimate competitor and not merely a spoiler for one or the other of the existing parties.

Answer 6

It would be easier for me to vote if they were.