Mitch McConnell Admits That Republicans Lose When More People Vote

He calls making Election Day a national holiday a “power grab” by Democrats.

J. Scott Applewhite/AP

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Democrats have long accused Republicans of restricting access to the ballot because Republicans are likelier to win when fewer people vote. On Wednesday, the GOP leader in the Senate appeared to admit that they’re right.

On the Senate floor, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced his opposition to a relatively uncontroversialĀ measure that would make Election Day a federal holiday in order to make it easier for people to get to the polls. He called it a ā€œpower grabā€ that would help Democrats win elections.

ā€œJust what America needs, another paid holiday and a bunch of government workers being paid to go out and work for, I assume, our folksā€”our colleagues on the other side, on their campaigns,ā€ McConnell said. ā€œThis is the Democrat plan to restore democracy? A brand-new weekĀ of paid vacation for every federal employee who would like to hover around while you cast your ballot?ā€

The measure is part ofĀ a sweeping democracy reform bill introduced this month by House Democrats, which also includes reforms likeĀ automatic and Election Day registration, nationwide early voting, independent redistricting commissions, and public financing of congressional campaigns. McConnell has led the Republican opposition to the legislation,Ā calling it ā€œthe Democrat Politician Protection Act.ā€

Critics pounced on McConnellā€™s statement, seeing it as confirmation that Republicans are trying to retain their political power by preventing people from voting.

Other congressional Republicans, including Reps. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Doug Collins (R-Ga.), the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee,Ā echoed McConnellā€™s criticism.

Making Election Day a national holidayā€”a so-called Democracy Dayā€”is an increasingly popular idea, supported by 65 percent of the public, according to the Pew Research Center. It’s been championed by progressive politicians such asĀ Bernie SandersĀ and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Holding elections on a Tuesday in November is an increasingly antiquated notionā€”38 states now offer early voting, and most advanced democracies vote on the weekends, when itā€™s more convenient to get to the polls.

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