Few would dispute that early voting has made it more convenient for people to participate in the electoral process in the states that allow it. In Oregon, people probably would tell you that mail-in voting has had the same effect.
Politicians should be working to make the voting process easier for Americans rather than more difficult. Which is why a proposal made last week by U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl of Wisconsin deserves attention.
Kohl, a Democrat, along with Rep. Steve Israel, D-N.Y., on Jan. 7 introduced the Weekend Voting Act in both the Senate and the House. The legislation would move Election Day from the first Tuesday in November (where it's been since 1845) to the first full weekend in November.
"Holding elections on the first Tuesday of November makes it difficult, even impossible, for many Americans with work and family responsibilities to exercise their fundamental right to vote," Kohl said. The legislation would mandate that national polls be open from 10 a.m. EST on Saturday to 6 p.m. EST Sunday in the 48 contiguous states. Election officials could close polls overnight if it is inefficient to keep them open.
Here in Green and Lafayette counties, most of us don't have to endure the long lines and hours-long waits to vote that some in U.S. cities face. The wait can be more than an inconvenience; it's a real deterrent to participation on a weekday.
Having more time to vote, on a weekend, would be much more convenient to voters, which should only encourage participation. Kohl's idea should be given serious consideration.
Politicians should be working to make the voting process easier for Americans rather than more difficult. Which is why a proposal made last week by U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl of Wisconsin deserves attention.
Kohl, a Democrat, along with Rep. Steve Israel, D-N.Y., on Jan. 7 introduced the Weekend Voting Act in both the Senate and the House. The legislation would move Election Day from the first Tuesday in November (where it's been since 1845) to the first full weekend in November.
"Holding elections on the first Tuesday of November makes it difficult, even impossible, for many Americans with work and family responsibilities to exercise their fundamental right to vote," Kohl said. The legislation would mandate that national polls be open from 10 a.m. EST on Saturday to 6 p.m. EST Sunday in the 48 contiguous states. Election officials could close polls overnight if it is inefficient to keep them open.
Here in Green and Lafayette counties, most of us don't have to endure the long lines and hours-long waits to vote that some in U.S. cities face. The wait can be more than an inconvenience; it's a real deterrent to participation on a weekday.
Having more time to vote, on a weekend, would be much more convenient to voters, which should only encourage participation. Kohl's idea should be given serious consideration.
