Ability to vote over weekend helpful for voters

One of the complaints we sometimes hear about voting is that it is inconvenient because elections are held on Tuesdays, which are work days for many people.

Of course, even those who work are often able to find time if they choose to do so to go to the polls before work or after work, since polling sites are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on election day. And of course there is also the option of getting and casting an early ballot via mail, an increasingly popular choice.

But for those who want to physically go to a polling place to cast their ballot, and can't do so on election day due to other commitments or not wanting to wait in lines, there is another option which is less well known called in-person early voting. And a new wrinkle to that is being added by Yuma County election officials this weekend.

The Yuma County Recorder's Office, 410 S. Maiden Lane, plans to be open Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and registered voters can go there to cast a ballot in person for the election. In general elections before this year, early voting ended on the Friday before the election and was available only during regular weekday office hours leading up to the election.

Making this type of in-person early voting available on a weekend, even if it is only the weekend before the election, is a great idea. For many people, weekends are not work days, so it should be possible to make time to go and vote.

We have thought for some time that holding elections on weekends would be a good idea that could increase voter turnout. At least it seems logical that is what should happen.

Some weekend voting was also available in elections earlier this year, but it was not openly promoted to the voters. They were kind of test runs. Perhaps this weekend will provide us with a better opportunity to see if it really is beneficial for the public in a big election.