Summary of the Bill

The proposed legislation, titled the "Election Day Act," seeks to amend title 5 of the United States Code to establish Election Day as a federal holiday. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on January 3, 2025, by Mr. Fitzpatrick and Mrs. Dingell. The bill's main provision is simple: it mandates the inclusion of Election Day in the list of recognized federal holidays, placing it right after Columbus Day.

Significant Issues

While the bill's language is clear and straightforward, it introduces questions regarding its practical implementation and broader societal ramifications. Among these are the absence of discussion about the operational impact on federal, state, and local governments, as well as the private sector. Specifying only the addition of "Election Day" to the list of federal holidays, the bill does not address how this day off might affect various functions and services or the economics of a day without business as usual.

Impact on the Public

For the general public, establishing Election Day as a federal holiday could potentially increase voter turnout by providing citizens more time to participate in the electoral process. Time constraints often serve as a barrier to voting, so by freeing individuals from work obligations, more people may engage in their civic duty to vote, thus fostering a more robust democratic process.

On the other hand, the designation of a federal holiday might not uniformly result in a day off for all workers, especially those in the private sector. As seen with other federal holidays, not all employers grant time off, which could result in uneven benefits across the workforce.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

The federal and state governments could face logistical challenges in maintaining essential services while accommodating the holiday. Coordination might be necessary to ensure that key operations—such as emergency services, public safety, and healthcare—continue without interruption.

For private businesses, particularly small ones, the holiday could pose financial challenges. Closures mean a potential loss of revenue, while increased staffing on a holiday may incur higher labor costs due to holiday pay rates. Simultaneously, businesses devoted to customer service may experience heightened demand as people take advantage of the day off.

School districts might also need to consider how this holiday interacts with their academic calendars, possibly affecting scheduled instructional days or other holiday observations.

Overall, the "Election Day Act" strives to elevate the importance of voting within American civic life by providing time for citizens to participate freely. However, its implications suggest a need for careful planning to address the varied impacts across different segments of society. As such, ongoing discussions among policymakers, stakeholders, and the public could be essential in determining how best to implement this change in a manner equitable and inclusive to all.