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Democracy & Voting Rights

Opinion: California must consider making Election Day a state holiday to increase turnout


Sonni Waknin, a voting rights managing law fellow at UCLA Voting Rights Project, said that the federal government makes voting extraordinarily difficult. Making Election Day a holiday would help reduce suppressive tactics that people face, Waknin added. “It’s an encouragement to engage in the civic process,” Waknin said. “Having a day off would not only…

Sonni Waknin, a voting rights managing law fellow at UCLA Voting Rights Project, said that the federal government makes voting extraordinarily difficult. Making Election Day a holiday would help reduce suppressive tactics that people face, Waknin added.

“It’s an encouragement to engage in the civic process,” Waknin said. “Having a day off would not only expand the ability to vote but also the ability to participate in democracy.”