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Edited by Mrph1 on Nov 30th 2023 at 11:03:59 AM
One, it would create an issue of "freedoms," since the argument of non-voting is that it is a statement with as much validity as voting. Two, it would be a dangerous gamble for either side of the aisle to force the habitual non-voters into the arena. Who are these people and where would their opinions take us?
Okay, whether you are a liberal or conservative-does anyone else think Ben Carson is probably the nicest seeming Repub. candidate? Or does he just seem like that because he's always so mellow?
"Somehow the hated have to walk a tightrope, while those who hate do not."Re "Voting": In my country, if you've got to work on the day of an election (federal or otherwise), your employer is required by law to give you a couple of hours so you can go vote.
We also open several polling places (?) that allow anyone to vote there regardless of where they live. This is done so people who work away from their home can vote during election day.
So maybe that's what the U.S. needs? Unless they have it already, on which case please ignore what I just said.
That's fine for most people but police officers and hospital staff can't do that because they might have an emergency that they have to take care of. In addition places like Wal-mart and Mc Donald's aren't going to be too happy if they have to shut down for a few hours.
edit: This is why I'd love it if we can get voting extended to be a three day period but that will never happen for various reasons.
edited 9th Aug '15 11:11:30 AM by Kostya
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Down here, emergency workers are given more time during their lunch break so they can go vote. For example, during the election of June 7th, my SO (paramedic) got two hours instead of the usual one.
I agree that sometimes it's not possible, like three years ago when we had a huge storm and floods on election day, but the government tries to do its best to get people to vote. As they say "It's not a right, it's a duty!"
In the case of non-emergency business, they're required by law to open their stores later that day OR give their employees time to go and vote during the day (while paying for that time).
For example, one of our local Wal-marts didn't open until 10:00 a.m. Not every employee went to vote (who wants to get up early on Sunday, right?), but at least they got the opportunity to do so.
Of course, this is all meaningless if they people with power don't want you to vote. A lot of our reforms happened after one of our political parties lost the presidency after 70 years. So, yeah...
edited 9th Aug '15 11:24:23 AM by Cid
Wal Mart and McDonalds will have to like it or lump it when it comes to closing to allow people to vote. Don't give them a choice in the matter.
edited 9th Aug '15 11:33:26 AM by Greenmantle
Keep Rolling On
I don't think so, I doubt the FBI and other law enforcement agencies would allow even the most influential corporations to get away with assassinating US political figures, enfaces on US, those bastard's are allowed to do basically whatever they want on foreign soil.

Right, election date is fixed in the Constitution, opening the poll days would require an amendment, but changing the day to a federal holiday wouldn't.