MAKE ELECTION DAY A NATIONAL HOLIDAY
Republicans know that when people vote they lose. Making election day a national holiday is a step toward allowing people easier access to vote
QUICK READ: The John Lewis Voting Rights act along with the Voting Rights Act have been sitting in the Senate for months. One way to remove an obstacle to make voting easier is to move the already existing Presidents day to the !st Tuesday in November, making the day to vote a federal holiday.
TAKE ACTION NOW:
BACKGROUND
It is essential in order for democracy to survive, we must have free and fair elections.
Republicans made it clear that they are not interested in elections that reflect the will of the majority. The GOP has made a concentrated effort, including designing gerrymandered districts state by state to gain and hold onto power, regardless of the will of the majority of voters.
Making Election day a national holiday, as it is in many other countries, helps to remove one roadblock to working people, who often cannot get off of work, or cannot afford to lose work in order to cast their vote.
Please urge our MOC to pass voting legislation (by first removing the filibuster, or creating a special carve-out for voting) and to free people to get to the polls by designating election day a national holiday.
ACTION One: Call the Senate.
Script for Oregon Senators
SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
The Republican party has made it clear that they know when everyone votes they lose, which is why they are working furiously to undermine our ability to vote & to override our vote after it's placed.
Many countries from Belgium to Costa Rica achieve high voter turnout via universal voting to time off for voting. It is one way we can help to circumvent the attempts of voter suppression is to make voting day, a national holiday. Although this is included in the Build Back Better act, if we took President's day (a holiday that has been previously moved) and had it on the 1st Tuesday of November. It would not require adding an additional holiday. Please support legislation to make election day a National holiday
SEN. WYDEN: Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
The Republican party has made it clear that they know when everyone votes they lose, which is why they are working furiously to undermine our ability to vote & to override our vote after it's placed.
Many countries from Belgium to Costa Rica achieve high voter turnout via universal voting to time off for voting. It is one way we can help to circumvent the attempts of voter suppression is to make voting day, a national holiday. Although this is included in the Build Back Better act, if we took President's day (a holiday that has been previously moved) and had it on the 1st Tuesday of November. It would not require adding an additional holiday. Please support legislation to make election day a National holiday
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
Voting is essential in a Democracy and should not be denied or suppressed to any citizen. It is essential that each voter’s voice be cast and heard. Election day should be a National Holiday, as it is in many countries around the world. I urge you to support making election day a national holiday.
The Senate must remain in session until it passes all necessary pending legislation and confirming all Biden’s nominees. The best way to get home for Christmas is to stop your obstructionism and allow the Senate to do its job.
ACTION TWO: Call the House.
Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)
Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
The Republican party knows that when we vote, they lose. In state after state the GOP is trying to enact voter laws that would suppress or overturn the voice of the people.
We must make election day a national holiday, as it is in many other countries. If we were able to designate Presidents day (a holiday that has previously been moved) to the first Tuesday in November, it would go a long way in allowing people to vote. Please introduce legislation (outside of the Build Back better act) that would allow election day to become a national holiday
Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)
Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Voting is essential in a Democracy and should not be denied or suppressed to any citizen. It is essential that each voter’s voice be cast and heard. Election day should be a National Holiday, as it is in many countries around the world.
I urge you to support making election day a national holiday.
Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)
Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
The Republican party knows that when we vote, they lose. In state after state the GOP is trying to enact voter laws that would suppress or overturn the voice of the people.
We must make election day a national holiday, as it is in many other countries. If we were able to designate Presidents day (a holiday that has previously been moved) to the first Tuesday in November, it would go a long way in allowing people to vote. Please introduce legislation (outside of the Build Back better act) that would allow election day to become a national holiday
Script for Peter DeFazio (OR-04)
Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
The Republican party knows that when we vote, they lose. In state after state the GOP is trying to enact voter laws that would suppress or overturn the voice of the people.
We must make election day a national holiday, as it is in many other countries. If we were able to designate Presidents day (a holiday that has previously been moved) to the first Tuesday in November, it would go a long way in allowing people to vote. Please introduce legislation (outside of the Build Back better act) that would allow election day to become a national holiday
Script for Kurt Schrader (OR-05)
Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
The Republican party knows that when we vote, they lose. In state after state the GOP is trying to enact voter laws that would suppress or overturn the voice of the people.
We must make election day a national holiday, as it is in many other countries. If we were able to designate Presidents day (a holiday that has previously been moved) to the first Tuesday in November, it would go a long way in allowing people to vote. Please introduce legislation (outside of the Build Back better act) that would allow election day to become a national holiday
Action 3:
Other opportunities for action include:
Phonebank on Saturday, December 4 from 9:00-11:00am (Pacific time)
Phonebank to demand bold changes to create a government that represents all of us, not just big corporations or special interests. We'll be calling voters in AZ and connecting them to Sen. Kyrsten Sinema to support the Freedom to Vote Act. Training will be provided. You will need a phone and a computer or tablet.
Register here: https://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/396674/
[Please join our organizers who are attending this phonebank, hosted by Common Cause and Target Majority NYC.]
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FURTHER READING:
Make Election Day a national holiday
Mitch McConnell balked at Election Day holiday. What if it were one?
Election Day should be a 'day off,' U.S. President Joe Biden says | Reuters
Why isn't Election Day a national holiday yet? - CNNPolitics
