Voting is a privilege of citizenship and a civic duty. We should look for ways to make it easier to exercise the right to vote, not more difficult. Despite the availability of early voting and absentee ballots, too often work and personal schedules make it difficult to exercise the franchise.
If the federal government were to establish a holiday on the federal Election Day, it is likely that states, financial institutions and other large employers would follow suit.
A de facto national holiday on Election Day would underscore the importance of voting and would make it easier to turn up at the polls.
If there is not room in the federal holiday calendar for another holiday, a controversial holiday such as Columbus Day might be replaced.