{"id":27183,"date":"2023-11-06T20:30:47","date_gmt":"2023-11-06T20:30:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/federaltimes\/uncategorized\/2023\/11\/06\/is-election-day-a-federal-holiday\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T05:09:29","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T05:09:29","slug":"is-election-day-a-federal-holiday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/federaltimes\/federal-oversight\/2023\/11\/06\/is-election-day-a-federal-holiday\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Election Day a federal holiday?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Election Day is the day for general elections of public officials in the U.S. It is set by statute<\/a> as \u201cthe Tuesday next after the first Monday in the month of November.\u201d This year, Election Day is Nov. 7.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For federal offices such as president, vice president and members of Congress, and for most governors, Election Day occurs in even-numbered years. Presidential elections are held every four years, during which electors for president and vice president are chosen according to methods determined by each state<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elections to the House and the Senate are held every two years. All representatives serving two-year terms while senators hold office for six years. One third of the Senate<\/a> is elected in any general election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

General elections in which presidential candidates are not on the ballot are known as \u201dmidterm elections.\u201d Terms for those elected begin in January of the following year. The president and vice president are sworn in on Inauguration Day, which is usually Jan. 20 and is a federal holiday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many state and local offices are also elected on Election Day. Several states including Ohio had issues on the ballot related to abortion and other issues that may factor in next year\u2019s presidential election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fact that Election Day falls on a Tuesday has become controversial in recent years as many people might be unable to vote because of their job. Congress mandated a uniform date for presidential and congressional elections, though early and mail-in voting are authorized in many states, extending the voting period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Tuesday, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., introduced legislation to make Election Day a federally recognized holiday, which would give civil servants the day off. Similar legislation has been proposed in both chambers in past years, though no such bill has passed. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There is nothing more fundamental to our democracy than our election process. Today, on Election Day, I introduced bipartisan legislation with my friend @RepDebDingell<\/a> to make Election Day a federal holiday. pic.twitter.com\/RCW8YPZK6i<\/a><\/p>— Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@RepBrianFitz) November 7, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote>