Democracy Day (United States)

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This article or section contains information about scheduled or expected future events. It may contain information of a tentative nature and the content may change dramatically as the event approaches and more information becomes available.

Democracy Day is the tentative name of a proposed federal holiday in the United States. It would become such a holiday if the legislation, House Resolution (H.R.) 63, entitled Democracy Day Act of 2005, becomes law. The bill, proposed by Rep. John Conyers, would make the Tuesday after the first Monday in November of every even numbered year, Election Day, a legal public holiday. The purpose of this holiday would be to increase voter turnout by giving citizens more time to vote, as well as allowing for the opening of more polling stations with more workers, while raising awareness of the importance of voting and civic participation. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Government Reform in January 2005, where it awaits further action. The bill has 107 co-sponsors.

A companion resolution was introduced in the United States Senate on May 26, 2005 by Senator Debbie Stabenow. It was co-sponsored by Senator Mary Landrieu and Senator Carl Levin. The resolution has since been held without action in the United States Senate Committee on The Judiciary.

[edit] See also

• Democracy Day in other countries

[edit] External links

• The status of the bill