Voting is haile as the cornerstone of democracy.

And yet, on election day, most people have to work.

So why isn't it a federal holiday?

In 1792, states could conduct presidential elections any time within the 34 days leading up t the first Wednesday of December.

This system worked well until the successful testing of the Morse electric telegraph in 1844.

During that election, results in one state might influence voters, and another.

Congress mandate a national election day in 1845, which all states would follow.

They settled on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

Tuesday provided voters with enough time to travel to the polls by horse and buggy without missing church on Sunday, and avoided Wednesday, which was market day for farmers.

While Tuesdays were convenient at the time, today our schedules work a little different.

The primary argumen in favor of making Election Day a federal holiday is the notion that it would boost voter turnout by providing working people with time off.

While voter turnout i the United States has increased in recent years, with nearly two thirds of the voting population participating in the 2020 general election.

The U.S. still lags behind other democratic countries like Belgium, Australia and France, all of which hold their elections on weekends.

Additionally, making Election Day a federal holiday would transform i into a celebration of democracy.

In Australia, for example elections are akin to an all day party, with volunteers across the country running barbecues and bake sales.

Outside of polling locations there are even crowdsourced maps where voters can choose a polling plac based on the stats they offer.

The idea is popular among American voters, too.

According to Pew Research, 72% of respondents said they were in favor of making it a holiday.

Some have even suggeste moving Election Day to coincide with Veteran's Day.

Since it's already a federal holiday.

While this is a relatively popular idea there are some concerns, namely, that it could disadvantage low income workers because private employers are not legally required to offer time off for any holidays.

Furthermore, some argue that changing state law and individual company policies would have a greater impact on voter turnout than recognizing it as a federal holiday.

Finally, some believe that other solution such as same day registration, early voting, voter outreach, and improved civics education would have a more significant impact.

So what do you think?

Should Election Day be a federal holiday?