Election Day is a significant moment in the democratic process, where citizens cast their votes to elect public officials at various levels of government, from local offices to the presidency. While Election Day is widely observed across the United States, the question of whether it is officially recognized as a public holiday varies from state to state and even between private and public sectors. This article explores where Election Day is a holiday, the history behind it, and the ongoing debate about whether it should be a national holiday to ensure voter participation.
The History of Election Day
Election Day in the United States is traditionally held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, a date established by Congress in 1845. This timing was chosen during an agrarian era when people needed time to travel to polling stations, which were often far from their homes. The first Monday rule ensured that the election would never fall on November 1st, a day traditionally associated with All Saints’ Day for Christians, and also avoided conflict with economic activity as it wasn’t near the end of the month when people settled financial accounts.
While Election Day has long been a cornerstone of American democracy, its designation as a holiday has not followed the same uniform path as other federal holidays like Independence Day or Memorial Day. The decision to make Election Day a holiday has been left to individual states, cities, and businesses, which has resulted in a patchwork of laws and practices across the country.
States Where Election Day Is a Public Holiday
As of today, several states have declared Election Day a public holiday, recognizing the importance of providing citizens the opportunity to vote without the pressure of work or school obligations. These states include:
Delaware Delaware is one of the few states where Election Day is an official public holiday. All government offices are closed, and many private businesses offer time off to employees to ensure they have the opportunity to vote.
Hawaii Hawaii also recognizes Election Day as a state holiday. The decision underscores the state’s commitment to encouraging voter participation, with public offices and schools closed on Election Day.
Illinois In Illinois, Election Day is a state holiday, and public schools and government offices are closed. This was established to allow voters adequate time to participate in the electoral process.
Kentucky Kentucky includes Election Day as a holiday in even-numbered years, coinciding with federal elections. The law ensures that state offices are closed and workers have time to vote.
Louisiana Louisiana follows a similar practice to Kentucky, making Election Day a holiday in even-numbered years for federal elections. Public employees are given the day off, allowing them to cast their ballots.
New Jersey New Jersey includes Election Day as a public holiday for all state employees, ensuring that they have the opportunity to vote.
New York In 2020, New York passed legislation to make Election Day a holiday for state employees. Public offices close on this day, giving employees the time needed to vote.
West Virginia West Virginia observes Election Day as a public holiday. Public offices are closed, and employees are encouraged to take part in the electoral process.
Local and City Recognition of Election Day
Apart from statewide recognition, some cities and local municipalities have taken it upon themselves to declare Election Day a holiday. For example:
Washington, D.C. Election Day is a public holiday for government workers in the nation’s capital, ensuring that those living and working in the District of Columbia have the time and flexibility to vote.
San Francisco, California In recent years, some municipalities in California, like San Francisco, have pushed to treat Election Day as a holiday for local government workers. This initiative is part of a broader movement across the state to improve voter turnout.
Montgomery County, Maryland This Maryland county recognizes Election Day as a holiday for public employees and encourages local businesses to follow suit.
While not every city or town in the U.S. observes Election Day as a holiday, the growing trend reflects the importance of civic participation at the local level.
Businesses Offering Time Off on Election Day
In addition to state and local governments, several private companies have begun offering time off on Election Day to encourage their employees to vote. This can range from a few hours of paid leave to an entire day off. Notable companies that have implemented such policies include:
Patagonia The outdoor clothing company Patagonia closes all its retail stores, offices, and distribution centers on Election Day to give employees the opportunity to vote.
Walmart While Walmart stores remain open, the company allows employees to take time off to vote. This policy is part of a broader initiative to remove barriers to voting.
Coca-Cola Coca-Cola provides employees with paid time off on Election Day, encouraging them to participate in the electoral process.
Twitter Twitter gives its U.S. employees the day off to vote in major elections. This move is part of the tech industry’s efforts to promote civic engagement among its workforce.
Lyft and Uber Both of these ride-sharing companies offer their employees and drivers time off to vote on Election Day. In addition, they provide discounted rides to polling stations to help voters get to the polls.
Many other businesses, from small local firms to major corporations, are following suit by adopting policies that give employees time to vote on Election Day, reflecting a growing recognition of the role businesses play in supporting democracy.
The Debate Over Making Election Day a National Holiday
The movement to make Election Day a national holiday has gained significant momentum in recent years. Advocates argue that designating Election Day as a federal holiday would remove a significant barrier to voting, particularly for low-wage workers and those who cannot take time off from work. They believe that a national holiday would ensure more equitable access to the polls and increase voter turnout.
A national Election Day holiday is supported by various civil rights organizations, labor unions, and politicians who see it as a necessary step toward a more inclusive and participatory democracy. Proponents often cite the relatively low voter turnout rates in the U.S. compared to other developed countries as evidence of the need for change. They point out that many countries with higher voter participation rates treat election days as holidays or have implemented other measures to make voting more accessible.
On the other hand, critics of the proposal argue that making Election Day a national holiday may not necessarily solve the issue of voter turnout. Some contend that simply closing businesses and government offices on Election Day might not address the needs of essential workers, such as those in healthcare, retail, or transportation, who would still be required to work on that day. They suggest that other reforms, such as expanding early voting, mail-in voting, and same-day voter registration, might be more effective in increasing voter participation.
Additionally, there is concern that making Election Day a holiday could disproportionately benefit wealthier individuals who already have more flexibility in their schedules to vote, while lower-income workers may still face challenges in getting to the polls.
Alternatives to a National Holiday
While the debate over a national Election Day holiday continues, several alternative approaches to improving voter access have gained traction:
Early Voting: Many states have expanded early voting, allowing citizens to cast their ballots before Election Day. This option provides greater flexibility for voters who cannot take time off work or have other obligations on Election Day.
Mail-In Voting: The use of mail-in voting surged during the 2020 election due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and many states are now considering making mail-in voting a permanent option for all voters. This method allows voters to participate in the election without having to go to a polling station in person.
Same-Day Voter Registration: Some states have implemented same-day voter registration, allowing eligible voters to register and cast their ballot on Election Day. This policy helps remove barriers for those who may have missed the registration deadline.
Automatic Voter Registration: Automatic voter registration systems, which register eligible voters when they interact with government agencies (such as the DMV), have been adopted by several states. This policy aims to increase voter registration rates and make the process more efficient.
See also: When Was Columbus Day Created?
Conclusion
While Election Day is a holiday in some states and cities across the United States, there is still much debate about whether it should become a national holiday. Advocates argue that making it a federal holiday would increase voter turnout and ensure more equitable access to the polls, while critics suggest that other reforms might be more effective in achieving those goals. As the country continues to grapple with issues of voter access and participation, the conversation about Election Day’s status as a holiday is likely to continue.
Regardless of whether Election Day is officially recognized as a holiday, the most important aspect of the day remains the same: it is a time for Americans to exercise their right to vote and have their voices heard in the democratic process.