In Australia we have provision for 'absentee voting' on the day, and postal votes for those who will not be available because of work etc.

We always vote on a Saturday - we used to have only half work Saturdays for many years - the whole point of 7 day trading was to let you suit things to yourself - no excuse for not voting nowadays because of work - only if unexpectedly called out - and emergency workers are expected to arrange for a postal vote anyway.

"the American cult of individualism likely won't allow that to happen"
... and some Americans get upset we we call Yanks Bloody W*****!!! :-)

I also think that the way you hold Federal elections is stupid - all voters should be voting under the same FEDERAL RULES for a FEDERAL ELECTION - called common sense...

A simple solution - no citizenship without voting!

Or

Introduce compulsory voting on a 'Rolling Basis' - all those born (and adults granted citizenship) after 2010 or whatever - a few years whatever away, or 12 months after the Amendment is ratified (or the next election year 12 months after the Amendment is ratified) - have compulsory voting and fines. No person already born will have their 'rights' changed. :-) So it will take a while - but all the kids are then taught in school that they MUST vote!!!

You could use the 'no future citizenship without voting' tagline...
:-)

The second thing is eventually change the first past the post - but right now - if all those refusing to vote voted for one third party candidate the Repubs and Democrats are finished! - and that's about 50%.

Also you could take note that if less than 50% vote - it is not really a quorum, and the election is really invalid.... :-) on several grounds, not the least morally...