We’re still a year away from the presidential and most congressional elections, but Election Day 2023 still has plenty of races to watch. Governors are elected in Kentucky and Mississippi. Ohio votes on abortion protection. And Rhode Island will hold a special election for a congressional seat.
Despite the importance of these and many other local elections, Election Day is still not a federal holiday — and many states do not recognize it as such, despite widespread support. And that can make it difficult to know if you’ll be able to do everything you wanted.
If your plans include retailers and grocery stores, you’re fine. Neither do accommodation for the day. Neither do restaurants. If you’re unsure about the impact on your local government operations, or whether you can make a bank deposit or withdrawal, we’ve got you covered.
Are banks open on election day?
Yes. Election Day is not a federal holiday, which means banks will be open during their regular hours.
Will there be mail delivery on Election Day?
There will be. Once again, without it being designated a federal holiday, mail carriers do not benefit from this day off. UPS and FedEx will also have normal operations
Is the stock market open on election day?
The New York stock exchange, Nasdaq and the bond markets will all be open for trading today. The next scheduled holiday on Wall Street is Thanksgiving.
Are government offices open on Election Day?
This is where it gets a little muddy.
Federal offices will be open, as will federal courts in general. However, 19 states, including Puerto Rico, have declared Election Day a national holiday. This means that all government offices (except election offices) will be closed if you live in one of these states:
Delaware
Florida
Hawaii
Illinois
Indiana
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Michigan
Montana
New Hampshire
New Jersey
new York
North Carolina
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Porto Rico
Virginia
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Are schools open on election day?
Again, there is no blanket answer to this question. In general, however, many children will be able to sleep in because school campuses are often voting locations. This could create a child care problem for parents.
Are any retail stores and grocery stores closed on Election Day?
No. You’re ready to go. No major retailers are closing their doors for this holiday.
