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In America we have special days for everything: Christmas, Martin Luther King Day - we even have a "child's day". Most holidays mean a day off where people either stay home and do nothing or go out and spend money. It's not that far off base to consider having a national holiday where people are actually supposed to go do something important. Voting is one of the foundations our country was built on. It means more than just having a day to be lazy or go buy useless junk that you will probably never see or use again. It goes to the very core of why America is so great - the ability to chose our leaders and have a voice in who is going to lead the nation for the next four years. Can you think of a better way to spend a day off than having a voice in the very process that most people around the world can only dream of?

Many people believe that this would be "just another day off" and that it would actually increase voter apathy and decrease voter turnout (although they argue at the same time it would increase lines and crowding somehow). I could not more strongly disagree with these predictions. Many people have to vote on their lunch break (and consequently don't get lunch) or have to stand in lines so long that they would be late returning to work and therefore skip voting all together. Imagine all the people who would turn out at the polls if only they felt they had the opportunity? Wouldn't it be better to have the entire day to find your voting location, stand in line and vote conscientiously rather than hurriedly. There would be no need to feel guilty about leaving work or to arrive home and wish you'd been able to carve out just a little time to make your voice heard. All those who wished to vote would have the opportunity. Those who aren't deeply into politics would have the day off and as such would be reminded quite loudly that voting day had arrived and it was important to take part. With the issues facing our country today, and with almost everyone having an opinion, if people were given a serious opportunity to vote, I believe they would. "Voter apathy" would most likely sink to its lowest level in a very long time. The ability to vote is what makes America both different and strong, we should strive to give all its people the opportunity to participate.

Learn more about this author, R Anderson.
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