The Hill News

Two House Democrats introduced legislation Friday that would change Election Day from the first Tuesday in November to the first weekend in the month in what they describe as a bid to increase voter turnout by making the process more convenient.

Under the plan proposed by Reps. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) and John Larson (D-Conn.), polls would be open from 10 a.m. on the first Saturday of the month through 6 p.m. on the first Sunday. Local election officials could make a determination about keeping polls open overnight.

Election turnout in the United States has traditionally lagged behind that in other Western democracies. According to a study of participation by political scientist Mark Franklin, American participation in presidential-year elections averages around 55 percent, versus 76 percent for parliamentary elections in France and the United Kingdom, and turnout in the high 80s for countries like Germany, New Zealand and Denmark.

“As a ! representative democracy, voting is a fundamental responsibility for all Americans and the system should be as accessible as possible for as many as possible. Unfortunately, the system we have now was designed to meet our country’s needs over 160 years ago and it no longer makes any sense. It’s time we stop making people choose between exercising their responsibility to vote and meeting their everyday obligations," Larson said in a statement.

Read more...