In the wake of Hurricane Sandy one thing becomes clear: we need election reform. Had this hurricane occurred just one week later it would have had a long lasting impact on the elections. In fact it could still have some kind of effect.
This just proves the need for changes to our current electoral law, which is largely outdated and not prepared for any state of emergency.
Our election laws are determined on a state by state basis. And beyond the most basic right to vote, there is very little ensured in national law regarding national elections. This needs to change.
First and foremost there needs to be national standards for national disasters or other state of emergencies and how they affect elections. As it currently stands every single individual state would have to determine what to do. Causing a logistical nightmare, confusion, and most likely a decrease in voter turnout. Instead we need firm federal oversight that determines universally within these states when and possibly where the new election date would be. Anything less is inviting a primary like model as replacement for the general election and possibly politically motivated decisions when it comes to changes in the election, just as we have seen with elections and state level.
Secondly, w need to change election dates. Historically our elections have been held on Tuesdays. Which made sense when people didn't have cars and it took days to travel from the countryside to the polls. But it's been nearly 200 years since those days and the fact is the majority of people WORK on Tuesdays. In fact there's not a country on earth that has elections on weekdays. Instead they hold them on weekends. Saturdays or Sundays. Equally america should change our election date to Saturdays, instead of Tuesdays.
Thirdly we need national election standards. It makes no sense for polls to open and close at different times depending on the state, nor does it make sense that there are different registration deadlines for different states. There needs to be national standards that all states must adhere to. Election booths should be open in every state at the same and closed in every state at the same time. We need to stop all this confusion and craziness.
If we do not reform our election laws our nation will be broadsided when a National Emergency does occur and the entire election is left in a loophole. The votes of any state can be questioned by one simple request on the Congress and Senate floor, and brought to a up and down vote. And such a scenario could play out if we continue to let individual states determine replacement dates for elections in such a event, instead of the federal government.