France puts U.S. to shame

Eighty four percent of eligible French voters cast ballots in Sunday's election. That compares to a 64 percent turnout in the 2004 U.S. presidential race. Gallic pride aside, The Plank argues that Election Day should be made a national holiday. I'm for it, though the number of drunk voters it would produce might give Ralph Nader a reasonable shot at winning.

Comments

[Souldrift]

I'm just sick and tired of people bashing France when they take their democracy more seriously than we take ours.

[Sara]

Several states already have laws on the books prohibiting sale of alcohol on election day. So we could always just do that if we're really concerned about drunk voting.

[dpb]

We should just hold our elections on weekends like the French did.