Congressman Goldman Pushes to Make Election Day a Federal Holiday

More than 25 Percent of Non-Voters Cite Work and School as Reasons for Not Voting

Voter Turnout in United States Among Lowest in the World for Established Democracies

Read the Bill Here

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) joined Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo (CA-16) in introducing the Election Day Holiday Act to make Election Day a federal holiday. Making Election Day a federal holiday would give more American workers and students the day off of work to vote and encourage private workplaces to make time for employees to exercise their voting rights.

“The right to vote is fundamental to our democracy but far too many Americans are forced to choose between their jobs and exercising that right,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “This difficult choice is one of the primary reasons that the United States lags behind other democracies. Designating Election Day as a federal holiday is a simple, commonsense step towards ensuring all Americans have easy access to the ballot box. If we are truly to be a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, we must make it as easy as possible for working Americans to cast their vote.”

Voter turnout in the United States consistently ranks among the lowest of established democracies around the world. The U.S. is 23rd in voter participation out of 38 Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) countries, most of which vote on a weekend or national holiday. According to a 2022 study, 26% of Americans who didn’t vote reported being too busy to do so because of obligations such as work or school.

Throughout his first term, Congressman Goldman has committed himself to protecting democracy and the right to vote.

In February of 2023, Congressman Dan Goldman announced the ‘Early Voting Act’ as his first bill in Congress, which would require at least a 14-day window of in-person early voting for federal elections across the country. His bill was included in the ‘Freedom to Vote Act,’ the House’s marquee voting rights legislative package.

Additionally, the Congressman has also cosponsored of the ‘Protecting Our Democracy Act’ to prevent executive abuses of power, restore our checks and balances, and protect the electoral process.

Congressman Goldman is a member of the House Task Force on Strengthening Democracy.

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