Election Reforms

[Canuck E Stan]

With such an important decision to make that affects everyone in the country,why isn't voting extended for two days(or longer) instead of one. Countries all over the world have more than one day to vote.Isn't it important enough to give people more time?

[cybercoma]

We should make it a national holiday and give everyone the day off work.

[Riverwind]

With such an important decision to make that affects everyone in the country,why isn't voting extended for two days(or longer) instead of one.

Why? Advance polls are available for people that cannot make it on election day (I will be out of the country on that day so I will need to use the advance polls). People who choose not to vote are not going vote whether it is one or two days.

We should make it a national holiday and give everyone the day off work.

Sounds great unless you are an employer that has to stay open anyways (i.e. clients in the US or a retail store). In which case, an election holiday would just mean lots of extra costs.

[Montgomery Burns]

We should make it a national holiday and give everyone the day off work.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have to disagree with this. It just costs business more money and goodness knows, business is burdened enough as it is. Also, it gives unionized govt workers another day off at taxpayer expense. And where does it stop? Hospital workers get the day off? Restaurant workers? Airline workers? Hotel workers? School teachers?

If you can't find the time to vote, then you aren't trying too hard. Plus, any business worth their salt will give you a couple of hours off to go vote--if you really need it.

Canada's election is on Monday, January 12. I believe that there are people out there that would use this to blast off somewhere for a 3-day weekend--to hell with voting.

I think Canuck E Stan's idea is best; make it 2 days. But then voters might be subjected to 2 days worth of propaganda by the liberal MSM. Remember their "exit polls show Kerry winning" canard in 2004--thus basically saying Kerry has won; don't waste your time voting for Bush.

Perhaps having the election on a weekend would encourage more voter turnout...

[Leafless]

Canuck E Stan

You wrote- " Isn't it important enough to give people more time."

Time is an important factor when trying to compile the outcome of legitimate votes.

An extra day could give time to enable corrupt activities in an effort to swing a riding or ridings.

No, leave it the way it is.

[theloniusfleabag]

Dear cybercoma,

We should make it a national holiday and give everyone the day off work.

Nonsense. Elections are, by law, required to be on a Monday. The main reason for this was so that people didn't go to the polls while drunk. If we made 'voting day' part of a long weekend, full of drunken reverie, we just might end up with the Rhino party, the 'kimmy party' (no offense, kimmy!) or the Marxist-Leninist Party in charge. Besides, Burns is right...

If you can't find the time to vote, then you aren't trying too hard. Plus, any business worth their salt will give you a couple of hours off to go vote--if you really need it.

If there was any way to prove that an employee took the time off and then did not vote, an employer should have the right to NOT pay the person. Besides, when I voted last time, it took me all of 15-20 min, including the drive from my house, and they were very busy.

I disagree with a second day of voting, and I suspect it would make a huge difference with both the votes and the wease...politicians. Even when 'campaigning' is supposed to be over with, I can imagine some 'leak' to the press between the two days, saying 'So-and-so promises a one-time baby bonus cheque of $10,000 (payable to everyone born after 1920) if he manages a 'come from behind victory'..."

[scribblet]

People have to be given 4 hours to vote, so if necessary an employer has to let the employee leave early.

You know you can actually vote now, you can do a walk in ballot if you know the name of the candidate. Lots of snowbirds are doing it.