Is Election Day 2025 a federal holiday? Here's what's open and what's closed

Election Day 2025 is here, on Tuesday, November 4, and is turning out to be one of the most consequential polls for Americans despite not being a midterm or race for the White House. Folks of New York City, New Jersey, Virginia, and California all will be casting their votes for different legs of the government. At stake are a mayorship position , two governor houses and a redistricting measure. But more than that what’s at stake is how will Democrats fare in face of the republican drubbing they have had in prez election and a general loss of confidence in its voters about their future path.

What is a federal holiday?

Federal holidays are public holidays created by Congress and recognized by the federal government. Federal holidays give workers a break, basically they are paid days off for non-essential federal employees. Federal employees get 11 holidays a year, plus one more holiday on the day a new U.S. president is inaugurated.


Election Day is not a federal holiday, that means banks, grocery stores, financial markets, and retailers will all stay open for business. Only three federal holidays are left in 2025, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, these are:

• Veterans Day: Tuesday, Nov. 11
• Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, Nov. 27
• Christmas Day: Thursday, Dec. 25

Government funding issues cause confusion, because of a government funding standoff, it’s unclear which federal offices will stay open or close on Election Day, as stated by Fox Business. State rules are clearer, the 19 states and Puerto Rico have made Election Day a civic holiday, closing local government offices except those handling elections.


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The states that observe Election Day as a holiday are, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, as stated by Fox Business.

Are government offices open?

It depends. Some federal offices and courts might stay open, but others could close or reduce hours depending on location and the state’s policy.

Is the stock market open?

Yes. The New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq, and U.S. bond markets will stay open for trading. The next time they close will be on Thanksgiving.

Are banks open?

Yes. Since Election Day isn’t a federal holiday, banks will run under their normal hours.


Since Election Day isn’t on any of the federal holiday lists, services like the U.S. Postal Service, UPS, and FedEx will continue to operate as usual. So will the major retailers, grocery chains, and restaurants, which will stay open as per usual schedule on Election Day.

FAQs

Q1. Is Election Day 2025 a federal holiday?

No, Election Day 2025 is not a federal holiday, so banks, markets, stores, and mail services will stay open.

Q2. Which states observe Election Day as a holiday?

Nineteen states and Puerto Rico, including New York, Virginia, and Florida, recognize Election Day as a civic holiday.