Taking election day off

[ChrizJen]

I'm his supporter - and I'll need the day off from work. I work at the polls. The day starts just before 6AM and I'll probably be completely done around 9:30 or 10 that night. It's a bit of a sacrafice, but I feel it's important so I do it every election

Thanks! I appreciate the sacrifice you make to help out on Election Day!!
This thread kinda makes you wonder how they're able to scrounge up enough Republican poll judges. You know, since obviously it's sacrilege to take the day off!!

 

[Acklander]

This sounds like another not-so-well-thought-out Obama idea. This country would be in a mess if everyone took the day 'off'. Can you just imagine what would happen if all our doctors and nurses didn't show up for work? How about the police and firefighters?
I'm also thinking that WDW would have to close - no one making up your room, cooking meals, and running rides!

Where did Obama say that doctors and nurses shouldn't show up to work? Or that Disney should close for the day? Or that there will be no police or fire department? He's asked for volunteers for election day. When I went in for my driver's license, I was asked if I'd be willing to volunteer for elections. They asked everyone who got a driver's license - they didn't tell everyone that in order to get a license, they had to volunteer; they didn't tell people that couldn't get the day off that they have to work at the elections office; they just have that as one of the options at the driver's license place - just like they ask people if they want to be an organ donor.
Obama asking on his website for volunteers to help drive people to the polls, or whatever they might need help with on election day isn't a big deal. The word was VOLUNTEER, people make their own decisions if this is something they're able to do or not.

 

[AlexTina]

In New Mexico everyone (full time employees) gets 2 hours off paid to go and vote, they generally have you go mid day so that people don't use it as an excuse to come in late or take off early, once you vote you get a signed notice for your employer showing that you did vote. If the lines are extremely long I think it's at the discretion of the employer as to whether or not they give you extra time.

I assumed that this was the case in all states for a presidential election am I wrong?

Tina

 

[TnTsParty]

The polls in Florida are open from 7AM to 7PM - I am going before work and if there is a long line I will just be going after work - what is the big deal - it doesn't take all day to vote.

 

[Colleen27]

Or maybe you can vote before or after work like everyone else does. Yeah, voting is a minor inconvenience...but well worth it.

Assuming, of course, that you're able to vote in a reasonable amount of time. Our state has a whopping 98% voter registration rate for this election. With a turnout of 66% in 2004, that's a huge increase in the number of voters, which will likely translate to very long lines. Taking the day off is probably a better option for those who can do it, rather than trying to vote in the morning or on a lunch break and either not having time to wait or being significantly late getting/returning to work.

 

[Chuck S]

Isn't it required for businesses to allow employees time to go vote? If the lines are as long as predicted, it just may mean a full day off...waiting in line. I mean, if you try to vote before work and get stuck in a long line, what can you do.

 

[HakunaMatata2]

Where did Obama say that doctors and nurses shouldn't show up to work? Or that Disney should close for the day? Or that there will be no police or fire department? He's asked for volunteers for election day. When I went in for my driver's license, I was asked if I'd be willing to volunteer for elections. They asked everyone who got a driver's license - they didn't tell everyone that in order to get a license, they had to volunteer; they didn't tell people that couldn't get the day off that they have to work at the elections office; they just have that as one of the options at the driver's license place - just like they ask people if they want to be an organ donor.
Obama asking on his website for volunteers to help drive people to the polls, or whatever they might need help with on election day isn't a big deal. The word was VOLUNTEER, people make their own decisions if this is something they're able to do or not.

I do believe that he asked for people to take the day off to vote. Are you saying that he only wants 'certain' people or occupations to do this?

 

[NMAmy]

DH works for the state and Election Day in even years is one of their regularly scheduled holidays.

I'm not taking the day off--I'm an Obama supporter but didn't take his request for voluneers as a mandate to take a vacation day but a request to volunteer if I was able to. I'll probably be a bit late for work because I usually go early in the morning.

 

[kinntj]

From the Obama website:


Can you take next Tuesday off from work, join the final push, and make sure that everyone who supports Barack turns out to vote?

You then are asked to 'pledge' to take the day off. You can't make this stuff up!

Although, you like to twist things around pretty good, don't you?

There's nothing wrong with asking people to take the day off to volunteer for a campaign on voting day. Anyone can see he's asking if you can take the day off, to do it and help out. Jeesh!

You guys have to stop watching conservative spin shows on tv.

 

[Acklander]

I do believe that he asked for people to take the day off to vote. Are you saying that he only wants 'certain' people or occupations to do this?

No - he asked people to take the day off from work to volunteer. They always need people to help shuttle those without transportation to the polls, pollwatchers etc....

 

[Tigger Woods]

Although, you like to twist things around pretty good, don't you?

There's nothing wrong with asking people to take the day off to volunteer for a campaign on voting day. Anyone can see he's asking if you can take the day off, to do it and help out. Jeesh!

You guys have to stop watching conservative spin shows on tv.

I posted the actual ad. How is that twisting things around?

 

[allison443]

well most of his supporters probably don't need the day off.

All the ones I know would

 

[kinntj]

I posted the actual ad. How is that twisting things around?

Sorry, the spin and twist was for the other folks.

You then quoted this response:
You then are asked to 'pledge' to take the day off. You can't make this stuff up!

What's wrong with that? That is between the person who volunteers and the campaign. If they didn't want to pledge, then they don't volunteer.

 

[mom2boys77]

My husband is in the HVAC Union and it's a paid day off for them.

 

[Colleen27]

No, it isn't necessarily a crazy concept if that is what your employer chooses to do. What is crazy is the notion that everybody should take the day off, or that employers should be pressured to let employees take off.

Employers *should* be pressured to allow employees time to vote, IMO. Not the whole day but employees shouldn't feel they have to choose between their jobs and voting, and with the long lines we've seen in recent elections, I think that's becoming more and more an issue. Voting before work or on a lunch break has become impossible in many areas, which leaves those who cannot get to the polls after work in a difficult position.

Regardless of who wins, I hope the voter turnout in this election forces a long look at how to improve our system of voting to make it more accessible for everyone.

 

[allison443]

So I heard about an Obama add that is encouraging people to take the day off on Tuesday to vote. I'm wondering how the crowds (or the perception of long lines) will affect voter turnout.

Didn't it actually ask them to take the day off to volunteer to get out the vote? Not take the day off just to vote?

 

[allison443]

Just want to say I have never ever had to wait on line to vote for any election, local or presidential, which is actually sad. I just go in, sign, go right to the voting booth. Our state doesn't have early voting-I wonder if there will actually be lines this year??

 

[HakunaMatata2]

No - he asked people to take the day off from work to volunteer. They always need people to help shuttle those without transportation to the polls, pollwatchers etc....

So, he only wants certain occupations to do this?? Of course, he is only encouraging those folks that will vote for Obama! Hmmmm.......

 

[mousetravel]

Of course, he is only encouraging those folks that will vote for Obama! Hmmmm.......

That's what I was wondering. So if we're voting for McCain, we shouldn't bother taking a day off?

 

[kldmom2000]

Our schools will be closed Nov 3 and 4.
What about the schools in your area?

Our city's schools started closing on election day last year because of an incident that happened in a neighboring community in which an elderly voter lost control of her car and hit an elementary school student, seriously injuring her. Since that happened, the mayor/superintendant decided it would be best if schools were closed on election day seeing as how all the voting areas are in schools-it's all for the safety of our kids not only in the parking lot, but strangers in the schools while it's in session even though it's sectioned off.

I also have to add that I've never had to wait in line to vote-curious to see this year....

I'll be manning the PTO bake sale table that day @ the school for all those hungry voters!!!