Why Tuesday? Why not on a day when the vast majority of people DON'T go to work?
Would the number of people voting increase if we changed from Tuesday elections, to Saturday elections?
If you're looking for voter turnout it wouldn't make a difference. We have early voting in most states now, so it isn't just election day. There are about six states that start early voting six weeks prior to the election and over half three week prior. That is plenty of time for anyone who wants to vote, to vote. Some states have mail in ballots so one doesn't have to get their butt off the sofa.
With all this convenience, less people vote today than did back when it was just one day, election day. With no early voting, with everyone having to vote on a single Tuesday in November voter turnout was 63.1% in 1960, 61.9% in 1964 and 60.8% in 1968. In recent election the voter turnout with all this early voting and all the conveniences to get people to the polls the turnout was 53.6% in 2012, 56.8% 2008, 55.3% 2004, 51.3% in 2000 and below 50% in 1996 with 49.1% turnout.
Between 1936 thru 1956 voter turnout exceeded 60% four times out of those six elections. Making it easier to vote, early voting, mail in ballots, etc. has done nothing to spur turnout. Either one is interested in voting or one is not. Changing the day means nothing. My son who is approaching 50 and has never voted in his life. When asked why, he shrugged and said, "Those in Washington are going to do what they want to do regardless of whether we want them to do it or not. It makes no difference."
Whether my son is unique or not, I'm not sure. It is all about attitude and the attitude that the people don't count and their wishes and wants ignored, he has a valid point. Then too, it may boil down to trust in one's own government. Back during the years when we had 60% plus voter turnouts, 1936-1968 over 75% of all Americans trusted their own government to do what is right or right most of the time.In 1976 that trust dropped below 50% and today it is at 25% of our entire population that trust their own government to do what is right or right most of the time.
When it comes to elections, today 60% of all Americans trust the vote count in an election, why vote if you think the vote will be manipulated. No, changing the day from Tuesday to Saturday will do nothing to spur turnout, the attitude and mood of this country must change and those who need to change it reside in Washington D.C. If they aren't trusted, why vote to put more people in that you don't trust?
