I
110th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 6240
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 11, 2008
Mr. Israel introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on House Administration
A BILL
To change the date for regularly scheduled Federal elections and establish polling place hours.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the
Weekend Voting
Act
.
Change in congressional election day to Saturday and Sunday
Section 25 of the Revised Statutes of the United States (2 U.S.C. 7) is amended to read as follows:
The first Saturday and Sunday after the first Friday in November, in every even numbered year, are established as the days for the election, in each of the States and Territories of the United States, of Representatives and Delegates to the Congress commencing on the 3d day of January thereafter.
.
Change in Presidential election day to Saturday and Sunday
Section 1 of title 3, United States Code, is
amended by striking Tuesday next after the first Monday
and
inserting first Saturday and Sunday after the first
Friday
.
Polling place hours
In general
Presidential general election
Chapter 1 of title 3, United States Code, is amended—
by redesignating section 1 as section 1A; and
by inserting before section 1A the following:
Polling place hours
Definitions
In this section:
Continental United States
The term continental United States means a State (other than Alaska and Hawaii) and the District of Columbia.
Presidential general election
The term Presidential general election means the election for electors of President and Vice President.
Polling place hours
Polling places in the continental United States
Each polling place in the continental United States shall be open, with respect to a Presidential general election, beginning on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. eastern standard time and ending on Sunday at 6:00 p.m. eastern standard time.
Polling places outside the continental United States
Each polling place not located in the continental United States shall be open, with respect to a Presidential general election, beginning on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. local time and ending on Sunday at 6:00 p.m. local time.
Early closing
A polling place may close between the hours of 10:00 p.m. local time on Saturday and 6:00 a.m. local time on Sunday as provided by the law of the State in which the polling place is located.
.
Congressional general election
Section 25 of the Revised Statutes of the United States (2 U.S.C. 7) is amended—
by redesignating section 25 as section 25A; and
by inserting before section 25A the following:
Polling place hours
Definitions
In this section:
Continental United States
The term continental United States means a State (other than Alaska and Hawaii) and the District of Columbia.
Congressional general election
The term congressional general election means the regularly scheduled general election for the office of Senator or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress.
Polling place hours
Polling places inside the continental United States
Each polling place in the continental United States shall be open, with respect to a congressional general election, beginning on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. eastern standard time and ending on Sunday at 6:00 p.m. eastern standard time.
Polling places outside the continental United States
Each polling place not located in the continental United States shall be open, with respect to a congressional general election, beginning on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. local time and ending on Sunday at 6:00 p.m. local time.
Early closing
A polling place may close between the hours of 10:00 p.m. local time on Saturday and 6:00 a.m. local time on Sunday as provided by the law of the State in which the polling place is located.
.
Conforming amendments
The table of sections for chapter 1 of title 3, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 1 and inserting the following:
1. Polling place hours.
1A. Time of appointing electors.
.
Sections 871(b)
and 1751(f) of title 18, United States Code, are each amended by striking
title 3, United States Code, sections 1 and 2
and inserting
sections 1A and 2 of title 3
.
Sense of Congress Regarding Transition to Weekend Voting
It is the sense of Congress that State and local election officials and the Election Assistance Commission should work together to develop plans to ensure an effective transition to weekend voting in elections for Federal office, as provided under the amendments made by this Act.
