Is Election Day a holiday?
Election Day is the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. In 2026 it’s Tuesday, November 3, the midterm general election. It is not a federal holiday, but several states close state offices.
Next Election Day
Tuesday, November 3, 2026Election Day dates, 2026–2031
Rule: Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
What’s open on Election Day
| Service | Typical status |
|---|---|
| Banks | Open Open (regular hours) |
| Post office / mail delivery | Open Open (regular delivery) |
| Stock market (NYSE, Nasdaq) | Open Open (regular trading day) |
| Federal offices | Open |
| State offices | Some closed Closed in some states (see the list on this page) |
| Public schools | Varies Varies; some districts close because schools are polling places |
Election Day is not a federal holiday, so banks, the post office, the stock market and federal offices keep normal hours. Some states close state offices. Check any date with the holiday status checker.
States that close for Election Day in 2026
These states list November 3, 2026 on the official calendars Daymark has checked. Others, plus cities and counties, may also close; check the local government.
| State | Listed as | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware | Election Day | Offices closed |
| Hawaiʻi | General Election Day | Offices closed |
| Illinois | General Election Day Even-numbered years | Offices closed |
| Indiana | General Election Day | Offices closed |
| Louisiana | Election Day | Offices closed |
| Maryland | Election Day Statewide general election | Offices closed |
| Michigan | General Election Day Even-numbered years | Offices closed |
| Montana | State General Election Day | Offices closed |
| New Jersey | Election Day New Jersey state holiday | Offices closed |
| New York | Election Day Floating holiday for certain bargaining units | Floating holiday |
| Rhode Island | Election Day | Offices closed |
| Virginia | Election Day Virginia state holiday | Offices closed |
| West Virginia | General Election Day | Offices closed |
The story behind Election Day
In 1845, Congress set a single national date for choosing presidential electors: the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. In a largely farming country, early November came after the harvest, and Tuesday gave voters a day to travel to the county seat without traveling on Sunday. Congressional elections later moved to the same day.
Because the rule is “the Tuesday after the first Monday,” Election Day always falls between November 2 and November 8. Federal elections happen in even-numbered years; in odd-numbered years some states and cities hold their own elections on the same Tuesday.
Time off to vote
There is no federal law requiring employers to give time off to vote, but many states do. The rules differ on whether the time is paid, how many hours are allowed and how much notice you must give. Check your state’s election or labor office.
How it’s celebrated
Voting itself is the tradition: polling places in schools, churches and community centers, “I voted” stickers, and election-night coverage. Most states also offer early voting or mail ballots, so for many voters Election Day is the last day to vote rather than the only one.
Indiana gives state employees both its primary and general election days off, one of the most generous election-day policies on Daymark’s checked state calendars.
Planning your day
- Check your polling place, hours and ID requirements with your state or local election office, or start at USA.gov.
- If your state requires employers to give time off to vote, you may need to tell your employer in advance.
- Expect busier roads and parking near schools and community centers used as polling places.
Frequently asked questions
Is Election Day a federal holiday?
No. It is not one of the 11 federal holidays, so federal offices, banks, the post office and the stock market keep normal hours.
When is Election Day 2026?
Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Federal law sets the general election on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
Is the stock market open on Election Day?
Yes. Election Day is not an NYSE holiday, and U.S. stock markets trade on their regular schedule.
Is mail delivered on Election Day?
Yes. USPS delivers mail and post offices are open, since Election Day isn’t a postal holiday.
Are schools closed on Election Day?
Some districts close or hold a teacher workday because school buildings are used as polling places. Check your district calendar.
Sources and how we check
Federal holiday dates and observed-day rules follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Market dates follow the NYSE holiday calendar; bank dates follow the Federal Reserve. Read our editorial policy or report a correction.