Texas traditionally ranks near the lowest in the nation in terms of voter turnout. In the 2004 presidential election, Texas ranked 48th in terms of voter turnout. Currently one of the primary reasons people do not vote is because they lack the time, this lack of available time is exacerbated by long lines and a shortage of accessible polling places and poll workers.

HB 282 would make every day on which an election is held throughout the state, including a primary election, a state holiday. Allowing for Election Day to be a holiday would alleviate the shortage of accessible polling places, low voter turnout, and the challenge of recruiting poll workers.The best proof that Election Day holidays help increase voter turnout comes from states and U.S. territories where Election Day is already a holiday, these include Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Montana, New Jersey, and West Virginia (all of which had a higher percentage turnout than Texas in the 2006 election). Puerto Rico, which also has Election Day holidays, had an impressive voter turnout of 82.6% in the 2000 presidential election.