ELECTION DAY AS A NATIONAL HOLIDAY

WHEREAS, only 60 percent of eligible voters in the United States participated in the 2004 national election; and

WHEREAS, the daily responsibilities of working citizens on a work day can create obstacles that may prevent them from voting; and

WHEREAS, it clearly has been demonstrated that many European countries that provide their citizenry with a national Election Day holiday have significantly stronger voting response than that which occurs in the United States; and

WHEREAS, the democratic process is strengthened with the wide participation of the citizenry:

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers work with other unions to establish a national Election Day holiday in the United States.