The 2024 presidential election is just around the corner, and millions of Americans are preparing to go to the polls on November 5. However, aside from voting, many people are wondering if essential services like banks, the post office, and other businesses will be open on this day. In recent days, Google has seen an increase in searches with questions like “Is Election Day a holiday?” “Will banks be open on Election Day?” and even “Will Walmart and Costco be open?“.
This article addresses these questions and analyzes how Election Day affects businesses and work schedules across the United States.
Is Election Day a federal holiday in the United States?
The answer is no. Election Day is not a federal holiday, which means that most businesses and government offices across the country will remain open. Although there is ongoing debate about making Election Day a national holiday to make it easier for citizens to vote, there are currently only 12 federal holidays in the United States, and Election Day is not one of them. For Election Day to become a federal holiday, it would require approval from Congress and a presidential signature.
Despite this, in 24 states and the District of Columbia, employees are granted time off to vote, and in some cases, this time is paid. Support for voters varies by state; some states guarantee paid time off, while others allow employees to take unpaid time off to cast their ballots.
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Which states consider Election Day a state holiday?
While it’s not a federal holiday, several states have designated Election Day as a state holiday, closing government offices and allowing state employees the day off. Among the states that have adopted this measure are:
- New York
- Illinois
- Virginia
- Hawaii
- Maryland
In addition to these states, others, like Colorado and California, allow their employees temporary time off to vote, even though it’s not considered a holiday. These efforts aim to ensure that voters can get to the polls without worrying about their work responsibilities.
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Will banks be open on Election Day?
Yes, most banks, including major institutions like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Capital One, and PNC, will be open on November 5, 2024, during regular business hours. Election Day is treated as a normal workday for the banking sector, so branch services, ATMs, and online platforms are expected to operate without changes.
It’s worth noting that since Election Day is not a federal holiday, banks are not required to close, making it convenient for customers to carry out banking transactions as usual.
Will the United States Postal Service be operational on Election Day?
Yes, the United States Postal Service (USPS) will operate on its regular schedule, and mail delivery will proceed as usual. USPS does not recognize Election Day as a holiday, so its services will remain uninterrupted, allowing citizens to receive and send packages and mail without any delay.
Private delivery services such as UPS and FedEx will also be open as usual. Both companies have confirmed that their centers and pick-up and delivery services will be available, ensuring that shipments arrive on schedule.
Why is Election Day held on a Tuesday?
The tradition of holding elections on a Tuesday dates back to 1845, when the United States Congress decided that elections would take place on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. At that time, most Americans lived in agricultural communities, and November was the ideal month to vote since the harvest season had ended, and the harsh winter had not yet begun.
Tuesday was chosen to allow voters, many of whom lived far from polling stations, to travel on Monday, vote on Tuesday, and return home by Wednesday, avoiding Sunday for religious reasons. Although this system remains in place, many believe it could be modernized, as holding elections on a weekday limits participation for some voters.
Why do some groups advocate for Election Day to become a federal holiday?
One of the main reasons for proposing that Election Day become a federal holiday is to increase voter turnout. According to data from the Pew Research Center, in the last presidential election, approximately 66% of the eligible voting population participated— a high percentage but one that could increase if time barriers were removed.
Additionally, 72% of Americans support the idea of making Election Day a national holiday, according to Pew surveys, showing growing bipartisan support for this measure. Even President Joe Biden has expressed his support, arguing that it would allow workers to vote without worrying about their job responsibilities.
