After surging in 2012, turnout in Tuesday’s midterm elections dropped to around 37%—potentially a record low that raises real questions about just how representative Congress is of the American people.
That’s why Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is proposing to make Election Day into a national holiday which would make it much easier to get to the polls. It would especially low-income Americans, who often work long hours and can’t afford to take time off to vote.
“We should not be satisfied with a ‘democracy’ in which more than 60% of our people don’t vote and some 80% of young people and low-income Americans fail to vote,” said Sanders.
The idea isn’t likely to go anywhere in the GOP-controlled Congress. But if it helps focus attention on the chronic problem of low turnout, especially in midterm elections, it’ll be worthwhile.
After Tuesday’s low voter turnout, Sen. Bernie Sanders will introduce legislation to make Election Day a national holiday. #DemocracyDay
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) November 7, 2014Support Sen. Sanders' bill to make #ElectionDay a national holiday here: http://t.co/MnUPwMX3DN #DemocracyDay
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) November 7, 2014
Zachary Roth