[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 112 (Friday, August 3, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1541]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              INTRODUCING THE ELECTION WEEKEND ACT OF 2001

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2001

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, earlier this week, the National 
Commission on Federal Election Reform released its report highlighting 
a variety of reforms that need to occur in our country's faltering 
election system. While I do not agree with all of the Commission's 
views, I do agree with the report's recommendation to establish a 
federal holiday on Election Day.
  Today, however, I am taking the Commission's recommendation one step 
further and introducing the Election Weekend Act. My bill changes our 
nation's election day from the first Tuesday after the first Monday in 
November to the first consecutive Saturday and Sunday in November. 
Furthermore, it expresses the sense of Congress that private sector 
employers provide their employees with one day off during Election 
Weekend to allow them ample opportunity and time to cast their ballot 
without having to leave work.
  Each Election Day, employees are faced with the difficult task of 
balancing their work schedules with their family responsibilities, 
while trying to find time to make it to the polls. My bill recognizes 
the undue amount of pressure Americans face when trying to participate 
in the democratic process. It acknowledges the fact that a great deal 
of Americans are unable to leave their jobs in the middle of the day 
and vote because our elections occur on a Tuesday, a day when almost 
all Americans are working.
  As more and more Americans enter the workforce, the choice they are 
forced to make between working or voting has resulted in decreased 
voter turnout. In the last election, barely 51 percent of our country's 
eligible voters actually voted. Also, consider that in the last 
election, only 48 percent of those who voted cast a ballot for our 
current President. That means that 48 percent of the 51 percent of 
people who actually voted last November voted for him. To put it in a 
different perspective, less than one-quarter of all those eligible to 
vote voted for our current President--talk about pitiful. Even more, 
the percentage is even smaller in low and middle income communities 
where individuals do not enjoy the luxury of taking a three hour lunch 
to eat and vote. For many, the hour they lose in wages when they go to 
the polls may mean the difference between paying the bills or finding 
themselves out on the street.
  It is irresponsible of us to continue forcing Americans to choose 
between a pay check, family time, or democracy. It is the 
Constitutional privilege of every American to vote. In moving our 
nation's election day to the first full weekend in November and 
extending it from one day to two days, we recognize the responsibility 
that we have to our constituents and our democratic heritage. We should 
be doing everything we can to protect the integrity of our election 
system by not only encouraging Americans to vote, but making it more 
convenient for them to do so.

                          ____________________