Should Election Day Be A State Holiday in Calif.? Local Lawmaker Says Yes

If work or school commitments leave you struggling to find time to get to the polls whenever there's a statewide or national election, then a California state assemblyman has just proposed legislation that could benefit you.

Assembly Bill 674, authored by Assemblyman Evan Low (D-Cupertino), would make Election Day -- the first Tuesday of the month in even numbered years -- a state holiday.

The bill doesn't mandate that businesses give employees the day off, but it would require schools and most state offices to close on the first Tuesday in November during each year in which a statewide or national election is to be held.

"Making Election Day a holiday will make it easier for people to participate in the political process and give everyone the time and opportunity to vote," Low's office said in a statement announcing the bill. "This is especially important to low-income communities since it removes financial roadblocks that keep them from taking unpaid time off to vote, and will ultimately help engage a more inclusive and representative electorate."

The bill, which was introduced in the state Assembly Feb. 16, is expected to be heard in committee March 18 at the earliest.

If AB 674 ultimately passes and is signed into law, California would join a growing list U.S. states where Election Day is already a holiday. The other states are Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Montana and West Virginia.

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