At a recent Boston City Council meeting, the council discussed the possibility of making Election Day a holiday, so more people are able to participate in voting.
Councilor O’Malley suggested the City create a paid holiday for its workers to increase voter turnout. While some NorthEndWaterfront.com readers commented in support of this idea, others expressed concerns that this holiday would not be observed by private companies. Some people feel early voting and absentee ballots are already enough for those who cannot get to the polls on Election Day to have their votes included.
What do you think? Should Election Day be a city holiday? Vote in our poll and add your comments in the section below.
Web polls are unscientific and reflect only those who choose to participate. NorthEndWaterfront.com polls do not have any official significance and are only intended for the interest of our readers.
Suspend the sales of alcohol on the day of the election and the day prior so people can vote with a clear head. Most of our consolers won’t be reelected.
what is the purpose of an election holiday? I doubt it will increase the number of voters. Is that the motive for holiday? Everyone has time to vote, before and after work. “Give them holidays, and they will be happy”.
Shows a basic misunderstanding of the workplace and the electorate. Most people who don’t vote just can’t be bothered unless there is something on the ballot that serves their particular interest. Most employers only honor national holidays. I’ve never worked for employer that has honored state holidays. If you wanted to complain to the employer that you want a special paid holiday, they will say use a personal day, if you have any left.
That is assuming people don’t work a day job and night job, not to mention an hour long bus commute. Not all people are privileged enough to work a 9 to 5 gig.
Please check your grammar. If they don’t work a day job and don’t work a night job, sounds like every day is a day off.
The polling stations are open from 7AM -8PM and with absentee ballots there isn’t any excuse for a person not voting.
I suggest that Councilor O’Malley take up some issues that are of more importance to the residents of the City rather than give Council members another holiday. There is nothing preventing people from voting other than their choice not to vote which is their right. The city is filthy , rats rule the streets, Junkies leave their used needles everywhere, parking violation enforcement is a joke. People cannot cross a street safely even in a crosswalk. All areas of the city looks like downtown Calcutta with people begging everywhere. They plant themselves at a busy intersection or in front of stores with signs and cups asking for money. Some are billegerent and will verbally threaten a person who will not give them money. I’ve walked the waterfront many times and almost Everytime I’ve encountered a person who is clearly in need of mental health services. I could go on and on but my point is creating a Holiday to get more people to (possibly) vote is BS.
And what have you done to help these people you see on the street? Have you called a service line for someone to come and get them the help they need?
This is common sense. Mornings and evenings, especially with kids, are tough. And if the lines are long or the weather is bad it’s especially hard to wait to vote with kids in tow. Make it a holiday and everyone can go vote when it works for them. Parents can use it as an opportunity to teach their kids about democracy rather than a stressful time sprinting to their polling place, trying to find a parking spot with everyone else voting after work, keeping kids entertained while they wait, and rushing through the ballot to get home in time for dinner/homework/bed. It should be a day to celebrate the power of the people, not to squeeze in voting during a jammed-packed work day.
Two words “absentee ballot”.
ANON: Great response……..I ask myself, however, would people bother to do research on the means to obtain an absentee ballot. One can request a ballot on line — for those who own computers — or one needs to write to the office and request it. 45 days before election. If ballot arrives in mail, it needs to be filled out and mailed back to the office. I assume a focused voter will make the effort to research “absentee ballot” info.
I used it once and you can do it at City Hall on a walk-in basis, prior to the election.