Our Time Is Now: Power, Purpose, and the Fight for a Fair America

by Stacey Abrams

It also matters if a voter can actually have time to participate. One option is to make Election Day a national holiday, which benefits most but not all voters. Of the thirty-six nations in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, a consortium of democratic countries from around the globe, the United States is one of only seven nations that hold national elections on a day when most of the country is at work; twenty-seven of those countries hold national elections on a weekend, and both Israel and South Korea designate Election Day as a national holiday. Only twenty-two American states offer paid leave for voting. Low-income voters could lose pay on that day if they are not otherwise compensated for holidays. Likewise, disabled voters may have difficulty securing support to get them to the polls. Another option is guaranteed paid time off on Election Day, with employees having the option to choose when they cast their vote, including during early voting periods. A minimum of five hours of paid time off for voting purposes would guarantee compensation for travel time and long lines at polling places.