Voting
It seems to me that there are at least two seemingly simple ways to improve the voting process in this country without scrapping the current way we go about it. The long lines and incredible waits could be somewhat remedied (in my mind) with two basic steps:
1. Why do we only vote on one day? Why not open polls completely November 4-5, 24 hours per day? I know there was early voting, but it was in limited areas, with a limited number of polling stations in only a handful of states. Open the polls completely for multiple days. Why not?
2. Why isn't election day a federal holiday? We celebrate so many other days for "historical" reasons...why not give people the day off for such a practical, democracy-related, critical function of our government? Then people wouldn't be forced to go vote right before work, after work, or during their lunch hour, thereby relieving the "crunches" that happen throughout the day.
With all the talk about voter turnout, it seems crazy to me that more isn't done to improve it. Ohio does allow you to vote absentee now without having to give a reason, which is a good start. But I think that more can be done to allow people to get to the polls.
1. Why do we only vote on one day? Why not open polls completely November 4-5, 24 hours per day? I know there was early voting, but it was in limited areas, with a limited number of polling stations in only a handful of states. Open the polls completely for multiple days. Why not?
2. Why isn't election day a federal holiday? We celebrate so many other days for "historical" reasons...why not give people the day off for such a practical, democracy-related, critical function of our government? Then people wouldn't be forced to go vote right before work, after work, or during their lunch hour, thereby relieving the "crunches" that happen throughout the day.
With all the talk about voter turnout, it seems crazy to me that more isn't done to improve it. Ohio does allow you to vote absentee now without having to give a reason, which is a good start. But I think that more can be done to allow people to get to the polls.