Taking election day off

[Zippa D Doodah]

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

I really do wish the schools in my area would close. There are strict policies in place (not always implemented) about monitoring and limiting who comes on campus. Then when an election rolls around the doors are flung wide open and anyone can come in.

I'm sure my area is not unique in that so many schools serve as polling places. The only problem is that it would be hard to dismiss school each time there is a vote (primaries, run-offs, etc). Maybe schools shouldn't be polling places.

 

[okeydokey]

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

What an awful thing to say.

 

[okeydokey]

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?

Please don't confuse them with the actual truth.

 

[DISUNC]

More showings of the Obama Elitist Attitude!

As if most of Americans have that 'luxury' of taking a day off of work to help HIM. Most workers are lucky if they can get a few hours off to go to the Doctors, Dentist, school meetings...etc.

I have always thought a Presidential election day should be a federal holiday, makes more sense then Columbus Day.

Election day was always a Federal Holiday until the 80's! That is also why its on a Tuesday. The theory is that it is not bumpered up to a weekend and people wont go away.

Be careful what you wish for! Back in the day, you couldn't get a drink in a bar or restaurant till after the polls closed!

Not in NYC...It was ALWAYS a BIG $$$$$$ day for Bar's

Why do you guys make everything negative. No one said take the day off without pay. But if you have a personal day available why not? You would reduce your stress while you stand in line because you don't have to be at work, or because your tired after a long day, plus go when those working can't to ease the long lines. In Missouri we don't have the luxury of early voting, so the lines are always looooooooooooooooong.

Obama didnt ask people to take the day off & 'Relax', he wants them to take the day off and bring other people to the polls, and knock on doors...etc. In other words work for him for Free or Have your Employer pay to service Obama.

 

[Laura]

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?

You are right.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UFzkO5OhKY

There's nothing wrong with encouraging supporters to volunteer. I think some folks don't understand that we don't obey Obama, and it's not an order.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Obama didnt ask people to take the day off & 'Relax', he wants them to take the day off and bring other people to the polls, and knock on doors...etc. In other words work for him for Free or Have your Employer pay to service Obama.

Well that kind of gets at why the suggestion annoys me. Not in a big way because it's not my time lost, but in a small way. I don't work by the hour. Since I set my own schedule I just have to be sure I'm effective at getting stuff done. The folks who are on staff where I work have a limited number of days off. The generally like to use those for medical appointments, travel, etc. Not that it's any business of mine why they do what they do, but I'd be surprised if any of them wanted to give up a day for any candidate.

 

[Tigger Woods]

More showings of the Obama Elitist Attitude!

As if most of Americans have that 'luxury' of taking a day off of work to help HIM. Most workers are lucky if they can get a few hours off to go to the Doctors, Dentist, school meetings...etc.




Election day was always a Federal Holiday until the 80's! That is also why its on a Tuesday. The theory is that it is not bumpered up to a weekend and people wont go away.



Not in NYC...It was ALWAYS a BIG $$$$$$ day for Bar's



Obama didnt ask people to take the day off & 'Relax', he wants them to take the day off and bring other people to the polls, and knock on doors...etc. In other words work for him for Free or Have your Employer pay to service Obama.

 

[allison443]

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?

Didn't he actually ask people to take the day off to volunteer to get out the vote? Who would need a whole day off to just vote?

 

[allison443]

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

I guess you could take the day off and volunteer with the get out the vote effort, like Obama asked his supporters to do? I'm sure there are Republican voters who need rides to the polls, etc. Didn't you understand that that is what the campaign was asking for?

 

[DISUNC]

I guess you could take the day off and volunteer with the get out the vote effort, like Obama asked his supporters to do? I'm sure there are Republican voters who need rides to the polls, etc. Didn't you understand that that is what the campaign was asking for?

As a McCain Voter I would seriously be wary of asking a Obama Volunteer to DRIVE be to the Polls.

"Ooops he just ran in front of my car Officer"!!!

 

[castleview]

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.

I'm still stunned that polls can be so understaffed and/or disorganized that long lines occur. I guess I'm fortunate for that and for having bosses that are flexible on Election Day.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

I don't see the need for the day off the polls are open from 6:00- 9:00 p.m.
So we have to wait a bit. We can wait online in a store but not to vote?

 

[Laura]

I don't see the need for the day off the polls are open from 6:00- 9:00 p.m.
So we have to wait a bit. We can wait online in a store but not to vote?

Those aren't the hours in every state. And Obama is not telling people to take the day off to vote, but to volunteer.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

As a McCain Voter I would seriously be wary of asking a Obama Volunteer to DRIVE be to the Polls.

"Ooops he just ran in front of my car Officer"!!!

 

[MUFFYCAT]

Those aren't the hours in every state. And Obama is not telling people to take the day off to vote, but to volunteer.

But in most states aren't they open untill nightime?

 

[Laura]

But in most states aren't they open untill nightime?

I don't know the hours for every state. Here it's 6:30am-7:30pm. I think Virginia is open until 7pm.

Like I said, Obama didn't ask for people to take a day off to vote, but to volunteer.

 

[NMAmy]

Jeez, that crazy John McCain is asking his supporters to volunteer, as well. The McCain Marshalls requires a 2 week time commitment.

McCain Deployment Application
Thank you for your interest in the McCain Campaign's Deployment program. Please complete the application form below. Once submitted, a confirmation that we received your application will be sent to the email address entered. Thank you!

About the Program
Key information regarding the McCain-Palin Deployment Program:

If selected, you will be volunteering on behalf of McCain-Palin 2008.
Your application will be reviewed and assignment decisions will be made based on requests for volunteers and your level of experience. You will be assigned to one of two programs:

McCain Marshals: This program is for those who are comfortable working independently, managing a local office and recruiting new volunteers. Additionally, our McCain Marshals must be familiar with the new political technologies we are using in the field. Ideally, they will have campaign experience, or have participated in Deployment in recent years and be familiar with our turnout operations. The requirements are a minimum two-week commitment (October 22nd through November 5th).

McCain Mavericks: This program is for all of you that are able to give the last week or two before Election Day to make turnout phone calls and go door-to-door in one of our top battleground states. You'll work all day long with a group of friends (some new, some old) to turn out voters for our candidates on Election Day. The departure day is anytime before November 1st, and you'll be able to return home on Wednesday, November 5.

If accepted, you will be required to arrange your own transportation to the deployment city. You will not be reimbursed for your transportation, but may spend no more than $1,000 of your personal funds due to federal campaign finance regulations.

As a volunteer, none of your food, lodging, and other living expenses will be reimbursed.

https://secure.johnmccain.com/secure/marshallsignup.aspx

Asking for supporters to volunteer on election day is not new for either party. I'm not sure why Republicans are all up in arms about Obama asking folks to volunteer. Of course, he's not calling it a "deployment."

 

[Laura]

Asking for supporters to volunteer on election day is not new for either party.

According to some on this thread, you'd think it was.

 

[Sneezie]

I had already planned to take 4 hours of my vacation time from my NON-SHIFT-WORK JOB to drive people to the polls in my town before it ever showed up on Barack Obama's website.

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

Of course not, who's going to hold down the fort while all of us Obama supporters are taking the day off.

Don't flame me! I'm just kidding.

Seriously, I would encourage anyone, Democrat or Republican, if you are able, to volunteer some of your time on election day to help your candidate.

Also, I don't look at it as my employer footing the bill for my volunteering. I am entitled to my vacation days and will use them at my discretion.

 

[dreamer17555]

I won't be taking off because I already early voted- now depending on how depressed I am I might need to take the 5th off- its my birthday anyway.

-Becca-