Eshoo, McEachin Introduce Legislation to Make Election Day a Federal Holiday
September 25th, 2018
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Representatives Anna G. Eshoo (CA-18) and A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) introduced the Election Day Holiday Act, legislation that will make Election Day a federal holiday.
National voter turnout has declined since 1964, and in 2014, reached its lowest level since World War II. Promoting greater participation in our elections increases the democratic legitimacy of our government and ensures more voices are heard in the political process. The Election Day Holiday Act makes voting easier and gives Americans an opportunity to participate in the proud American tradition of self-governance.
“The right to vote is fundamental in our democracy, yet U.S. voter turnout is consistently among the lowest of all established democracies around the world,” Congresswoman Anna Eshoo said. “At a time when our democracy is under threat from foreign governments and many states are restricting access to the ballot box, this legislation will give more Americans the time they need to vote and participate in our democracy.”
“Our democracy is strongest when Americans participate and vote. It is beyond time that we make this element of civic engagement easier for every American,” said Congressman Donald McEachin. “I have fought for voters’ rights by introducing similar legislation during my time as a member of Virginia’s General Assembly. I am proud to introduce the Election Day Holiday Act with Congresswoman Eshoo to require that Election Day be treated as a holiday. At a time when our elections are under attack from outside and within our country, it is more important than ever for us to do all we can to remove barriers to the ballot box.”
“Nothing is more important to strengthening our democracy than ensuring equal access to the ballot box,” said Stanford Professor Adam Bonica, author of the 7/26/2018 New York Times Op-Ed, What’s Good for Democracy Is Also Good for Democrats. “Making Election Day a national holiday is a simple but effective way to remove a key barrier to voting that disproportionately affects the young and the working class.”
The text of the bill can be found here.
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