Election Day Services Mostly Run Normally, With State and Local Exceptions

Election Day on November 3, 2026, is not a federal holiday, so many services will follow their usual schedules. The U.S. Postal Service plans normal post office hours, mail collection and delivery, and says it will take additional steps to handle ballot mail. FedEx, UPS and Amazon are also scheduled to operate normally.

Federal offices are expected to remain open, as are most banks and financial markets, with venues such as the New York Stock Exchange. Major retailers and grocery stores are also expected to open. State offices may close where Election Day is recognized as a state or legal holiday; those states include West Virginia, Rhode Island, Michigan, Illinois, Hawaii and Delaware. New York recognizes the day as a legal holiday, but some state offices may remain open because it is a floating holiday for certain workers.

School schedules depend on local districts. Some public schools close because their buildings serve as polling places or for teacher development, so families should check district calendars.

Separately, 28 states and Washington, D.C., require employers to provide some form of time off to vote. The rules differ: leave may be paid or unpaid, and the amount and eligibility requirements vary. Some states only require time off when employees do not already have enough time outside their work hours to vote. On November 3, workers should check the rules that apply where they live.