Politics: Sen. Clinton Pushes for Voting Holiday

A federal holiday would encourage voter turnout and make it easier for those with less leverage in their jobs to actually vote. While federal law "requires" employers to allow employees time to vote, somehow I doubt that law sees strict adherence. And given the long lines I saw at the last election, if an employee "had the chance" to vote, but didn't actually get to the ballot, there's not much the employee can do besides get a lawyer. And when you're fighting to put food on the table, that's probably not your number one priority.

In addition to creating a federal holiday for voting, the bill would:

Require paper receipts for votes.

Authorize $500 million to help states make the changes in voting systems and equipment.

Allow ex-felons to vote. Currently an estimated 4.7 million Americans are barred from voting because of their criminal records.

Require adoption of the changes in time for the 2006 election.