[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 44 (Thursday, April 14, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E650]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              INTRODUCING THE ELECTION WEEKEND ACT OF 2005

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 14, 2005

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, in 2001, 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 did not agree with all of the Commission's 
views, I did agree with the report's recommendation to establish a 
federal holiday on Election Day.
  Today, my good friend from California, Representative Honda, and I 
are taking the Commission's recommendation one step further and 
introducing the Election Weekend Act of 2005. Our 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. Our 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. Turnout 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 paycheck, 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.

                          ____________________