"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
11/08/2016 at 14:09 • Filed to: election day
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"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
11/08/2016 at 14:09 • Filed to: election day | 2
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Much has been said, here and elsewhere, in the days approaching the election about the fact that America votes on a workday. But does it say that in the Constitution? Would it take a Constitutional amendment to change it? Nope. Just some legislators with the courage to make it happen.
Here’s what the Constitution actually says about Election Day:
The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.
So, the Framers left it open to the Congress to decide when it would happen. In 1845, a time when we were still an agrarian society, Congress chose Tuesday, so we could hitch up the wagon and drive, or walk, to the county seat, vote, and be back home for the traditional market day on Wednesday. In fact, George Washington was elected on January 7, 1789, a Wednesday, and was sworn in on April 30.
Congress has enacted legislation requiring that presidential elections (the selection of electors) occur on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November every four years. Electors gather to vote on the Monday after the second Wednesday in December. The two houses of Congress convene to count the electoral ballots on the following January 6.
So, unless I’m missing something important here, it would be a simple vote of Congress to change it to the weekend, perhaps Saturday, or even make Election Day a federal holiday. But I believe the last thing the political establishment wants is everybody voting. Tuesday voting, while engrained in our American tradition for 170 years, amounts to nothing more than government-sponsored voter suppression, and something that could easily be changed, if we actually had a functioning government that was invested in the best interests of the People and not their own political careers.
http://www.senate.gov/civics/constitution_item/constitution.htm
SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
> ttyymmnn
11/08/2016 at 14:12 |
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I thought it was because #MR2sday.
Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
> ttyymmnn
11/08/2016 at 15:07 |
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Wake me on Wednesday.
vondon302
> ttyymmnn
11/08/2016 at 15:34 |
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And while were at it let’s change how we do primary elections. These can’t be the 2 most qualified people to run the country can it.
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ttyymmnn
> vondon302
11/08/2016 at 15:48 |
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Hillary, through her years of public service, is certainly more qualified than Trump, if you are looking at resumes. But she is also a deeply flawed candidate. And the GOP gave us Trump because they were riding a wave of anti-Clintonism that they thought would sweep them to the White House. And saying that he is flawed is an understatement at best. The problem here is that the parties rammed through the candidate they wanted, not the ones their constituents necessarily wanted. At least with Hillary. Had it been anybody other than Clinton running against Trump, even a crabby old Socialist, this would have been over two months ago. And if the GOP had nominated any other Republican, even Ted Cruz, they would likely have beaten Hillary. Both parties get what they get, and sadly, we get it too.
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vondon302
> ttyymmnn
11/08/2016 at 16:44 |
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Agreed. I can’t stand the Clintons but Trump ugh really.
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ttyymmnn
> vondon302
11/08/2016 at 16:45 |
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I am a registered Democrat, but I voted for Hillary with a deep sigh resignation over what might have been.