A final measure that would enable more voters to find their way to the polling place on election day would be a national voting holiday. Most voting difficulties--especially in Florida--arose in the morning rush hour when citizens tried to vote on their way to work or in the evening shortly before polls were closed. In St. Louis, many voters were turned away due to long lines and broken machines at polling stations. Such a nation-wide holiday would be a better solution than simply keeping polls open longer, which might still not allow some people to cast their votes on election day.

Congress and the National Association of Secretaries of State are now weighing their options regarding such ballot standardization measures. Although Congress cannot mandate every needed change in voting procedures, it can provide the guidance and funding that states need to make sure that the electoral process accurately reports the choices of all Americans.

We hope that such measures will be implemented before the next presidential election, to avoid subjecting the public once again to the present electoral uncertainty and legal wrangling. The self-declared stronghold of democracy would be well-advised to make a credible effort towards improving its electoral system. Nothing is more embarrassing to the U.S. than Russian President Vladimir Putin jokingly offering logistical support for our elections.