NJ SR74

New Jersey Senate resolution urges U.S. Congress to designate Election Day (first Tuesday after the first Monday in November) as a federal holiday

Eight states including New Jersey and Puerto Rico have already established Election Day as a state holiday to encourage civic participation

Only half of eligible U.S. voters participate in national general elections on average, with conflicting work and school schedules cited as a leading barrier to voting

Countries with weekend elections (Belgium, Austria, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand) have significantly higher voter turnout rates than the United States

Making Election Day a federal holiday would spread voter traffic throughout the day, reduce long morning and evening lines, and ensure elections are more representative of communities