A New Election Holiday!


By Thomas Dannenfelser

Virginia has a brand new holiday! Commonwealth bill SB12 has made the day of the national presidential election a legal holiday. The proposal’s goals are twofold. First of all, the bill aims to honor the civic duty of voting. Secondly, it aims to increase voter turnout at the polls.
Senator Emily Provenzo, the bill’s sponsor, urged lawmakers to pass this measure, saying, “We need to become a better democracy.” She mentioned that the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico has had voter turnout substantially higher than the rest of the United States. This is due to the fact that election day is recognized as a holiday in Puerto Rico. In fact, turnout on the island was 10% higher than the national average.
David Khettouch was strongly in favor of SB12, and he defended the measure on the floor of the Senate Chamber. “Before and after work is when voter lines are longest, and it’s a hassle for people with service jobs,” said Khettouch. “A day off would incentivize voters.”
SB12 certainly did face criticism. State Delegate Robert Bloxom, who gave remarks at the Model General Assembly’s Opening Session, did not mince words in his criticism of the proposal. “The problem is going to be if it’s a legal holiday, you are going to pressure businesses to close. Loss in revenue, loss of business. It’s a little more complicated.” He went on to criticize those simply unmotivated to vote. “It’s a duty of a citizen to participate. “You’ve got to show a little effort.”
The most contentious detail of the bill is the inclusion of Lee-Jackson Day as a legal holiday. Lee-Jackson Day is a holiday in January whose goal, since 1889, has been to honor Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson. The two men are highly controversial figures because of their role as army generals in the Confederacy. Robert E. Lee was also a slave-owner, and once said about them, “The blacks are immeasurably better off here than in Africa.”
Youth Governor Mark Johnston, when challenged on the celebration of Lee-Jackson Day, said that the day “honors history rather than what the Generals supported specifically.” Provenzo went as far as to defend General Robert E. Lee, saying, “Looking past [his slave-ownership], he definitely made contributions to Virginia and his country.” It is also worth mentioning that statues commemorating both Lee and Jackson are found on the grounds of the Capitol.

            While SB12 is nothing less than controversial, the Commonwealth now has a new holiday! The blemishes of Virginia history will live on. Yet if all goes well, Virginia will see an increase in its voting population.

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