As American citizens today, we face many issues that span the political divide, but two concerns are seemingly at the forefront of the current narrative.

• Systemic inequities faced by racial minorities, immigrants, and LGBTQ people
• Safe, accessible voting amidst the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic.

Perhaps at no point in recent history has it been more important to go to the polls. By declaring election day as a federal holiday, it will further incentivize every American citizen of voting age to cast their ballot for the Office of the President this coming November. This will also raise awareness of the need for adequate checks and balances to ensure that every vote is counted, particularly given the mishaps in prior general elections, but even moreso with mail-in options.

Furthermore, by designating election day as American History Day, it will cement the integral role that African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, immigrants, LGBTQ people, and other marginalized populations have played in our nation's heritage. Despite what U.S. history books frequently teach, our country was founded by a diverse collective of ethnicities, nationalities, orientations, and other cultural backgrounds all of which deserve to be recognized.

There is certainly no time more apt than election year 2020 for American History Day to be instituted, particularly with the current administration that time and time again has shown a complete lack of concern for these demographics.

As a white person with disabilities myself, I firmly stand in solidarity with my fellow Americans, so many of whom deserve a voice in our political system. Please join me in making this election day a federal holiday that honours people from all walks of life and celebrates our nation's true multicultural heritage.