Election Day Act

Bill Number: H.R. 154
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Government Operations and Politics
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2025-01-03: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Last Updated: 2026-07-01T08:08:35Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Election Day Act (H.R. 154) aims to designate Election Day—the day of federal elections in the United States—as a federal holiday. This would promote greater civic participation by giving workers time off to vote, similar to other national observances.

Key Provisions

Addition to Federal Holidays List: The bill amends Section 6103(a) of Title 5, United States Code, which outlines federal holidays observed by the federal government.
Placement in Schedule: It inserts "Election Day" into the list immediately after Columbus Day, making it an official holiday without altering the existing structure or definitions of other holidays.
Short Title: The legislation is formally titled the "Election Day Act."

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Expansion of Holidays: Prior to this amendment, Election Day was not a federal holiday under Title 5, U.S. Code. This change would add it as the 11th federal holiday (currently there are 10, plus any observances like Inauguration Day in certain years).
No Other Modifications: The bill does not change how federal holidays are observed (e.g., pay for federal employees or closures), nor does it specify Election Day's exact date (typically the Tuesday following the first Monday in November for presidential and midterm elections). It relies on existing legal definitions.

Potential Impacts

On Citizens: Could increase voter turnout by providing paid time off for many workers, especially those in federal jobs or sectors that follow federal holiday guidelines. Private employers might voluntarily adopt it, broadening access.
On Government Agencies: Federal offices would likely close or operate on reduced schedules, potentially affecting services like mail delivery or public access. It could require minor administrative adjustments for payroll and operations.
On International Relations: No direct impact, as this is a domestic policy focused on U.S. elections.
Broader Effects: Might indirectly boost participation in elections, but could add costs for federal employee compensation (estimated at millions annually, though not specified in the bill).

Main Stakeholders Affected

Federal Employees: Gain an additional paid holiday, increasing their total leave.
Voters and the General Public: Benefit from easier access to voting without work conflicts, particularly non-federal workers if states or private sectors align.
Employers (Public and Private): Face potential operational disruptions or costs if they observe the holiday; some states might enact complementary laws.
Election Officials and Administrations: Could see higher turnout, requiring better preparation for polling sites and resources.
Congress and Oversight Bodies: The bill was referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform for review and potential implementation.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Congress has clear authority under Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution to regulate federal holidays and employee compensation, so this amendment fits within established precedent. It does not interfere with state election laws or voting rights protections under the Constitution.
Constitutional: No major challenges anticipated, as it enhances (rather than restricts) voting access, aligning with the 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th Amendments that protect voting rights.
Political: Could be viewed as a bipartisan effort to strengthen democracy (introduced by representatives from both parties), but might spark debates on costs, equity (e.g., benefits mostly for salaried workers), or whether it sufficiently addresses voting barriers like early voting options. If passed, it would signal a policy shift toward treating elections as a national priority akin to other holidays.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

Cosponsors (13)

Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2], Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6], Rep. Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3], Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Tran, Derek [D-CA-45], Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray [D-CA-31]

Recent Actions

2025-01-03: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
2025-01-03: Introduced in House
2025-01-03: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Election Day Act — issued 2025-01-03 — PDF (1 pages)