a national holiday for major elections.

Would be nice, but I like how Canada does it: You have early voting, and you have the regular voting days. Last time i think was across 3 different days.

For work, your employers are required to give you paid time away from work if scheduled to vote during voting hours. Very few people take advantage of this, though, as employers don't need to give you the time off if one of your days off falls on one of the 3 regular voting days. Or if you get off at 5pm and polls close at 9, you still have time to get there. However, it is there as a means to get people out to vote and not use "I'm stuck at work and can't afford to take time off" as an excuse. And because some people live outside the cities they work in, the 3 hour maximum allowance for paid time off for voting is actually pretty nice