Make Election Day a Federal Holiday

Summary#

This bill would add Election Day to the list of federal public holidays in federal law. The main change is that Election Day would become a legal federal holiday for purposes of federal employees and many federal agencies. The bill appears intended to recognize the importance of voting and to give people time to vote.

  • Main change: Election Day is added to the statutory list of federal holidays.
  • Who is directly affected: Federal employees and most federal agencies.
  • Likely practical effect: Many federal offices would close and federal workers would generally have the day off (with exceptions for essential staff).
  • What is unclear: The bill does not say how states, private employers, or courts must respond, and it contains no fiscal estimate.

What it means for you#

  • Federal employees: Most federal workers would get Election Day off or receive holiday pay if required to work. Some essential staff would still work and may get extra pay.
  • Voters: Some people could find it easier to vote because they might not need to take work leave. This is a possible effect, not a guarantee.
  • Businesses and private employers: The bill does not require private employers to give their workers the day off. Private-sector practices would not change unless employers choose to follow the federal holiday.
  • State and local governments: The bill does not require states to change their schedules. Some states already treat Election Day as a holiday or give voting time off; others do not.
  • Federal services (including post offices): Many federal offices and services that follow federal holiday schedules would likely be closed. The bill itself does not list which specific services will close.
  • Essential workers and hourly workers: Those who must work (health care, public safety, retail, transit) would be affected in the same way as on other federal holidays—by scheduling, overtime, or holiday pay rules set by their employers or collective bargaining.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

  • The bill text does not include a fiscal note or estimate.
  • Likely government costs could include increased payroll costs for holiday pay and overtime for agencies that must stay open.
  • Agencies that must staff services on Election Day may face scheduling and overtime costs.
  • Potential indirect costs for businesses or state/local governments are not estimated in the bill.

Proponents' View#

  • The bill appears intended to make it easier for people to vote by removing a common workday barrier.
  • Making Election Day a federal holiday would formally recognize the civic importance of voting.
  • If federal offices close, voters who interact with federal services (for example, post offices) would not face those service interruptions on election day versus other days.
  • The bill has sponsors from both parties, which may signal bipartisan support.

Opponents' View#

  • One concern is the added cost: federal payroll and overtime costs for agencies that must operate on the holiday.
  • The bill does not require private employers or states to give time off, so it may not help all workers equally.
  • It is unclear whether creating a federal holiday will actually raise voter turnout or address other barriers to voting (like polling place hours, long lines, or voter registration rules).
  • Essential and hourly workers who must work may face scheduling disruption or rely on employers for holiday pay—outcomes the bill does not address.
  • The bill gives few implementation details, so questions remain about how agencies and courts will apply the new holiday in practice.