In the United States, we are afforded the precious right to cast a ballot in democratic elections that determine our government's leaders of the future. It is a beacon of hope, and for some, a real reason for optimism. Sadly, however, only 55% of our fellow American citizens exercise their most basic right on Election Day. The explanation for this can be rooted in centuries old discriminatory law, marginalization of people of color, extensive and unnecessary state voting registration requirements, and the many responsibilities of working people in this country. Why is it that Election Day, the most important day of the year for our government, is held on a Tuesday, a day in which Americans must work long hours and tend to their plethora of responsibilities before thinking about voting? Here at Miami University, our student body is made up of nearly 20,000 eligible voters, yet, only 11,000 are voting and actively engaged on campus. We owe it to our democracy to change the culture around voting, to get young people (and frankly, everyone) excited to project their voice into the crowd, and also, become a progressive role model for the rest of the country. We need to prioritize Election Day by making it a holiday on campus. Students and faculty need to be given the day off to spend it as active citizens in their democracy by voting and organizing. We can only hope that once this idea becomes a reality, its effectiveness will spread across the country and soon be recognized as a federal holiday. We owe every citizen in this country the opportunity to cast a ballot on Election Day, let's show that we care here at Miami by taking a step toward progress in the name of voting rights. Thank you.