Sandusky, Ohio, Swaps Columbus Day Holiday for Election Day – Should More Cities Do the Same?

What’s the story?

• Election Day is now a paid holiday in Sandusky, Ohio—by swapping it with Columbus Day.

"A lot's happened in the last three years that had us thinking a lot about voter access and democracy, and so we thought it was a really natural switch," Sandusky City Manager Eric Wobser told NPR.

• Wobser said that the change was only partially about addressing the challenges Columbus Day brings, but it was also about adopting a “think globally, but act locally” mentality to improve voter access on Election Day.
• In May, Maine joined a growing list of states that are replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

What are people saying?

Supporters

• “We have a huge history with the Underground Railroad and were very active in the civil rights movement, and so if we can continue to play a role in spurring some type of a national dialogue as it relates to voting rights, I think we’d be really proud of that,” Wobser told the New York Times.
• Ed Dayringer, president of the Local 1519 of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees:

"Participation in the government at all levels is essential for everyone," Dayringer, who’s also an engineering technician with the city, told NPR.  "As a city, we want to ensure to give our people the opportunity to get out and vote.”

• “What better way to celebrate the value of our employees and citizens than by removing barriers for them to participate in the greatest of American innovations, our democracy,” the city of Sandusky said on its Facebook page.
• A poll conducted by Pew Research Center shows that two-thirds of voters support Election Day being considered a national holiday.

Critics

• ProCon.Org argues that changing the state laws and individual companies’ policies would be more effective in voter turnout than making Election Day a national holiday. The site contends that, by making Election Day a national holiday, it would quickly be perceived as just another day off for leisure.
• Middletown, OH, Mayor Larry Mulligan doesn't believe Election Day needs to be a paid holiday.
• “The state has expanded access to voting with early voting options and absentee ballots,” Mulligan told the Journal-News. “The polls in Middletown are well run and efficient thanks to the good work of the Butler County Board of Elections. A new holiday will not necessarily increase participation, and it would likely create disruptions for employers and commerce.”

 What do you think?

Do you think more states should replace Election Day as a paid holiday instead of Columbus Day? Do you think making Election Day a paid holiday would increase voter turnout? Why or why not? Contact your representatives then share your opinions below.

 -Veronica You