The University of Iowa’s Undergraduate Student Government passed a resolution pushing to establish Election Day as a university holiday.

The group voted to pass the resolution at its Sept. 20 meeting. The establishment of the holiday will allow UI students more time to vote on Election Day. 

The resolution called for Election Day to be recognized in both midterm and general election years.

For Election Day to become an official holiday adopted by the UI, it will have to be approved by both the university and the regents.

Emma Speer, chair of the Governmental Relations Committee for USG, proposed the resolution. 

“This is really important because students really do struggle to vote in between our classes, especially as they get longer and longer and longer,” Speer said at the meeting. “And not only for traditional students between the ages of 18 and 22, but also our non-traditional students and graduate students who go to class all day and then go to work.” 

The UI currently has over 30,000 students enrolled.

USG has yet to reach out to the state Board of Regents and university department chairs, Speer said. 

“We just want to know that we have the backing of student government and that this is supported,” she said. 

USG Sen. Hannah Williamsen was in support of the legislation. She said she found the move important. 

“I’ve been somebody who does other activities and schooling. I’ve had to miss an election,” Williamsen said. “I think [the legislation] is really beneficial for our students who don’t always have the best transportation opportunities.” 

Sen. Andrew Froemel also spoke in support of the resolution at the meeting during debate. 

“It’s really important that everyone gets a fair opportunity to vote and make their voices heard,”  Froemel said during debate. “Each election’s important and our votes and choices have consequences.”