wisher1977
88730
3455
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A lot of people can't take off work, to go vote; day labors, some health professionals and just about all of the minimum wage positions out there, either can't afford to take the time off or are not eligible for time off.
Ingellvar
You do realize that unless you work in a bank, school or some kind of office, that you don’t have federal holidays off. Right?
katanatripsis
OR! Or we could just do mail-in voting so we can all vote in our pajamas from the couch, like Oregon already does. Less hassle.
klarseth
Or can't afford to stand in line to vote for 5 hours
GrumpyOldMan55
We've been over this and over this. The same businesses that stay open every other holiday will stay open for this one. People will work.
Feralkyn
While I'd like this, it would also not work purely b/c there'd be too many damn people voting on THAT day.
bibaleebu
More important to get rid of the electoral college and go with popular vote.
Mentor397
Even on federal holidays, people still go to work - many of the minimum pay positions as well.
trojanplatypus
Should be election week.
KirschPunkt
Or at least move the date to a Sunday; maybe the first Sunday of November or something like that.
wetbandits23
Ever get the day off in the US for a Fed Holiday? Get some lunch, run some errands.. all those people are working on that “holiday”.
wetbandits23
I’ve never had a “federal holiday” off. It just means offices and banks get the day off. Not hospitals, gas stations, fast food, groceries..
rossdonohue
Do people not understand that only federal workers are garaunteed federal holidays?
cowlumbus
Republican will have none of it. The poor, minorities and working poor need no help.
JCstormz
"but thats a democrat conspiracy to steal the election" - actual republican reason not to do it.
DudeThatsRacist
They know that turnout is tied to GOP losing elections. Which is why they try suppressing now.
LizardEnterprises
Hey @OP. This was included as part of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_the_People_Act_of_2019, which is still sitting on McConnell's desk.
LizardEnterprises
I know it seems counter-intuitive, but the only solution to voter suppression is voting. Democrats support this. VOTE FOR IT!
ihavethelowground
But the Republicans don't like it. And that sounds very SOciALiSm
shureshot76
I agree with a guaranteed day off for it. That way people can do it when it works for their schedule
cabalin
Only unpopular among Republicans
AVeryTallGlassOfIToldYouSo
Maybe they could have abundant voting places that are open for a couple weeks before. That's how we do it in Finland
smjb5
Republicans would never go for it. More voters mean less Republicans
thebibbee
Is mandatory in many countries.
KaJuN
That just means us wage slaves will be working the Election Day Sale.
guactopus
Many minimum wage workers work on federal holidays.
ButtBot9900
It should. But Moscow Mitch called the idea "a democrat power grab"
ButtBot9900
I love the kneejerk angry downvote for telling the truth https://www.vox.com/2019/1/30/18203936/mitch-mcconnell-election-day-federal-holiday
Dionysus187
its fucking amazing that R's managed to make "people voting" a partisan issue.
invaderjak
I like in australia how its compulsory
GoliathSkittles
I like in Australia where there are ample places to vote close by to everyone and it only takes 20 minutes.
here4mischief
And on a Saturday so most people can get there
DudeThatsRacist
What are the repurcussions?
invaderjak
$20 fine
UglyHorribleGrouchyOldMan
Americans would just pay the fine and tell the polls to fuck off.
JoSTL15
invaderjak
Entirely likely that some would, but overall turnout would increase dramatically.
UglyHorribleGrouchyOldMan
Then you really don't understand American citizens.
Applewhite5
That's not an unpopular opinion. Most people want this. Only our corporate oppressors fight against it.
AvocadoHouse
Didn’t the GOP say it was unamerican to have a federal holiday to vote
crow144
There is already a name for that. GOP.
ImguritisIsNotCureable
Mine literally was bragging that employees earn vacation time and can use it to go vote...then told us we can't use more than an hour
haveyouheardabouttheseinternetmemes
It's far more unpopular than it should be because asshole Republicans have turned it into a partisan issue. Because they know repressing 1
haveyouheardabouttheseinternetmemes
the vote generally benefits them. 2/2
Audasity
listen to the GOP tell it, it is an unpopular opinion
Alfadorfox
The GOP, by their own admission, do not represent the needs or desires of the population.
LaoBeifong
Corporate oppressors lol.
isKratomSafe00
So named because no one will hire lil applewhite
LaoBeifong
Would you?
isKratomSafe00
He’s too lazy to apply so no worries
Applewhite5
yeah I mean they run the government , spy on every aspect of our lives and actively suppress democracy what’s so oppressive about that?
LaoBeifong
Lol where’s the tinfoil hat emoji?
DeportAllConservatives
Why do you ask? Do you think it will protect you from virtual mind control?
Tomadzo
No. I had a shithead tell me that essential personnel get screwed by not being able to take the holiday, so he wanted no one to get one
PuzzledCompletely
My problem with it is that those with the hardest time voting now, would still have a hard time. (ex: Nurses).
PuzzledCompletely
We should work to expand early voting, and vote by mail instead. The idea is to maximize the people that vote.
Ralvuimego
God, the "If I can't have it no one should have it" mentality is baffling to me, but it's so pervasive in some people.
TheSwedishCryptid
It's the type of selfish behavior that got US into this mess in the first place.
Cabreza
If democrats take the senate and presidency hopefully it will be.
FlorbFnarb
What do you think that will do?
Cabreza
Enfranchise more people and improve voter turnout.
DudeThatsRacist
House and Senate (Congress) Make federal holidays.
SamanosukeOnimusha
They just need to keep the house as well
OMFGWhatHaveWeDONE
House already tried this. Moscow Mitch wouldn't even allow it to be discussed in the Senate.
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah
My god that system is retarded.
Camelspotting
How can he just straight up admit corruption and no one cares?
Rongeong
The groups that enforces rules on congress is congress.
FrolickingFrolicking
Things are that bad. 45% of America is that stupid/racist.
FlorbFnarb
"Corruption"?
Camelspotting
Blocking a holiday because people might use their free time to benefit political opponents is corrupt as fuck.
FlorbFnarb
What does a holiday have to do with voting?
EaNasirsExcellentHighGradeCopper
That would run counter to republican attempts to make voting as hard as possible, as they only hold onto power via organized
EaNasirsExcellentHighGradeCopper
disenfranchisement of voters (who typically vote against them)
hungrydutchman
Isn’t absentee voting a thing? Or am I making that up?
EaNasirsExcellentHighGradeCopper
Yes, but they have their own problems. As you've seen this election, They can fuck with the post office to try to hinder mail in/absentee
EaNasirsExcellentHighGradeCopper
ballots, They can be stolen/intercepted and discarded to, as you've seen with this election, and Depending on the level of fuckery
EaNasirsExcellentHighGradeCopper
Republicans are willing to put in, can be thrown out and not counted if your signature on the envelope isnt a 100% photo replica of the one
EaNasirsExcellentHighGradeCopper
on file... Which again, hasnt been to much of an issue until, again.. this election.
just4thelolz
Germany just votes on Sundays. Also most businesses are closed on Sundays. I'm sure other countries do the same.
DroneBlower
Mexico too, makes the most sense.
Viggen1
Same in France.
ritamariamaria
Same in Portugal.
Zuir
Same in Spain
besn
Yeah, in my forest country we also vote on Sundays and most businesses are closed as well.
khety1890
BESTtaylorINAUSTRALIA
Saturday in Australia. Sunday WAS for church. Tradition is a funny thing.
JKubuz
Same on Poland. Also if you work on election Sunday, you are constitutionally allowed to take a break from work and go vote.
just4thelolz
That works in countries where you don't have to wait in line for hours and hours to vote. Not sure it would fly in the US.
JKubuz
That is true, unfortunately. So I guess making election day a holiday would help somewhat.
winkyroomba
America is open 24 hours a day 365 days a year. Gotta squeeze every last nickel you can. Holidays are big retail sales days.
zerkalot
2020 has 366 days like every election year, so why not go vote on the one day in these years the US is closed?
macgerdo
sounds like a inefficient nightmare.
winkyroomba
It is.
Feralkyn
America isn't closed on Sundays like Germany is. Or Wednesday afternoons.
macgerdo
how godless. I'm not religious but it's nice that most people don't have to work on sunday so i can go to church. or not.
soupnazi
at least on a weekend would make it easier for most to vote.
bobsCondomShopWeMakeEmYouBreakEm
Lol, don't feel bad germany has it bad too. Many countries in south america have ciesta every afternoon. Everything shut down for nap time
Feralkyn
For SURE yeah, I think Spain/Italy have it sort of too? Down to the heat, I'd imagine. I wouldn't wanna be out in the heat mid-afternoon!
b1candy2
Siesta is a Spanish word. It's mostly a spanaish thing in Europe. Not so much a German thing.
Feralkyn
I live in Germany; I wasn't saying we do Siesta! For some reason, Germany closes down *specifically* on Wednesday afternoons. I'm not sure
AdultPersistentAngst
Depends on your state. Some are required to give you at least hours off.
lamminzmunchkin
This should be a federal employment law as it is in other countries :(
ropetopus
But not paid, AFAIK. Lots of people can't afford to take the unpaid time.
Akurei00
Usually along the lines of "required to allow you to go vote" but they like to say you have plenty of time before or after your shift »
Akurei00
« regardless of other responsibilities, like childcare, 2nd job, driving distance, etc. 2 voting days would be nice. Work one, off the other
BURNtheZEPPELIN
We got an hour at work, most people live like 30 minutes away. Its a god damn joke.
GrandHofTarkin
NYS will pay you to vote if the polls aren't open for 4 consecutive hours before or after your shift.
AmActuallyACat
When I was 18 I couldn't vote bc my job&school was a 2hr commute. Left @5am return @10pm. What a miserable time.
LastEverUsername
What's the point if it takes 7+ hours in line?
AdultPersistentAngst
to anyone that really cares, there's multiple ways you can vote, there's planning, there's sick time you could take, vacation time. Options
AmActuallyACat
You should not have to use any of those things to vote
AdultPersistentAngst
I totally agree. I don't get to make the rules though
CongratsYouAreHereNow
i wonder how many people would miss voting because they were hungover from partying
AdultPersistentAngst
At least 30
Krasnopeev
Damn 10 hours?
Krasnopeev
Its a joke by the way since X is the roman numeral for 10
AdultPersistentAngst
Cheeky monkey +2
GnomeAndGarden
Federal Holiday is meaningless for a lot of people. I work almost every Federal Holiday. My first day off during early voting, that was /1
PuppyLRunner
It is a start and much better than keeping everybody at work.
IPOIxORION
Hospital staff wouldn't get it off, we work 365, and required during all natural disasters as well. We already got pay cuts during COVID
ShipsPassingintheNight
Time and a half when you're broke > Voting for those who don't give a fuck, and will never make real change
arkthan
exactly. It will be a holiday, except for those in the food industry, first responders, retail workers, etc.....
FlatPlutoSociety
Yep. Federal holidays mean fuck all to pretty much everyone but white collar and government workers. We need easy early voting everywhere.
TeelMoobeel
OP's argument it's still an improvement overall. Sorry to disagree.
GnomeAndGarden
Hurrah for staying civil during a disagreement!
ImHereToGetDownvotes
Exactly. Federal Holiday doesn't mean it's a day off, let alone a paid day off.
cepacolusmaximus
Voting should be mandatory, and everyone should get a day off to do it.
J0765
It’s also NOT meaningless for WAY more. Not doing it because it doesn’t help everyone is not a reason.
Findrek
Except jobs that honor federal holidays tend to be higher end jobs, which means the lower classes are served another disadvantage.
drcurlyfat
It literally only helps people that are already working "banker-hour" jobs. So, some government employees, and white-collar workers.
007werewolf007
making it easier for upper and middle class people to vote, but giving no improvement to the poorest is a problem to me.
ASkiAccident
It's not like the upperclsss have a difficult time now.
DarthVadersBigBluePenguin
The lowest paid "essentials" will still have to work.
MateriaGirl1
Germany: voting place is open on sunday from 8-18. My husband works on weekend too sometimes. Still have time to vote. Or per Postal letter
DarthVadersBigBluePenguin
My state has voted by mail for 20 years. I just drop mine off at a collection site. Not sure why other states haven't figured this out.
Yick
Which creates a discrepancy in the demographic that get a day off to vote and those who have to work. Bigger problems
Ninjainslippers
In any service industry, it's just "great, I make an extra $30 today."
007werewolf007
maybe for servers? as a cook its "great, my back will hurt more tommarrow"
Ninjainslippers
You should get time and a half on federal holidays.
ZeroIsPlural
"Should" being the keyword. Holiday pay isn't law, its up to the employer. My last job i worked every holiday for 10yrs w/ no holiday pay
GnomeAndGarden
were I was. Dedicated the whole day to it. Expand and protect early voting, expand polling locations.
nopo
Persknally, im in favor of doing all that, and making it a federal holiday.
Aksuuuh
HairyChairstepper
Reminds me of arguing with my 4 year old.
Tak231
I learned this week that Pennsylvania doesn't allow early voting. EVERY state should allow it.
TheZommie
im in PA, and I voted by mail like two weeks ago
TheGrubermeister
They don't have early in person voting, but they do have mail in ballots. Unfortunately, I don't think they're allowed to count until 11/3
TheGrubermeister
Similarly, for 1st timers, they have places where you can register, obtain a ballot, and drop them off all in the same spot
TheGrubermeister
The Republicans tried to shut these down, but last I heard, they're still up. I'm not in PA but I'm in south Jersey so I get Philly news
Lachwen
And expand vote-by-mail! Voting by mail should be an option for every registered voter.
NotSinceTheAccidend
1000% this year in particular
GoatKun
I'd prefer that voting take place during the entire week. Give everyone 7 days of being able to go to the polls and vote and require 1/2
GoatKun
employers to give at least 1 day off for employees to vote either paid or unpaid. 2/2
Darkspire
That would make more sense. Having everyone go to a hand full of locations in one day is stone stupid
adrianontherocks
This is what I came here to say. It would have to be more than a federal holiday. Everything except for polls would have to be shut down. >
mimomisu
Nah, make it day and half and make the employer give you one of the days free by law. Easy. Works in my country.
StarrSmasherr
I work at a hotel s we wouldn’t have off. We either have to go before or after work and if it’s a long line we are sol
SquirtleSquad420
Have voting be a week long with either the first or last day be a holiday.
adrianontherocks
Gas stations closed. What if someone has no gas? Busses shut down. What if someone needs a bus to get to the polls? A more practical >
GnomeAndGarden
"Federal Holiday" only means government services are closed. The rest of us have to work. As I said, meaningless.
adrianontherocks
Solution would be to have an election week, not an Election Day. We need time to count absentee and mail in ballots anyway.
ThomasThundersword
Oregon my dude. we just vote by mail. got our ballots on like the 16th.
dk1701
Gas stations? I work for a hosptial. Let's see us get a dedicated day off.
TooCuteToDie
I use to work for oil refinery. That would take 2 weeks to get process stop safely. I would think that nuclear power plants need "some" ...
TooCuteToDie
... time too. But yeah. If someone is bleeding to death, that's pretty hard place to say, I have to vote now. This place is closed