[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 125 (Wednesday, July 25, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H7673]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             WEEKEND VOTING

  (Mr. BRENDAN F. BOYLE of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission 
to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. BRENDAN F. BOYLE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, sadly, voter 
turnout in the United States ranks as one of the lowest among developed 
democratic countries.
  We know that low voter turnout results in frustration, apathy, and a 
democracy that is not truly representative of the public.
  Fortunately, Mr. Speaker, there is one relatively easy way that we 
can address this and improve voter turnout, and that is to switch to 
weekend voting. Weekend voting is a proven method that increases 
accessibility, engagement, and turnout.
  The reason why we vote on Tuesday in the United States is because of 
a law that has existed ever since 1845. It was because we didn't want 
to vote on the Sabbath; it took a day to travel to the county seat; and 
people needed to get back home in time for market day on Wednesday. 
Clearly, society has changed a great deal in the last 173 years.
  That is why I introduced the Louise Slaughter Weekend Voting Act to 
officially change election day to the first weekend after the first 
Friday in November. Weekend voting makes sense, and our representative 
democracy should demand it.

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