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Midterm Elections 2026: Control of Congress at stake on Election Day
Will the Republicans maintain control of congress, or will a so-called blue wave help propel Democrats to an Election Day victory? Voters on Tuesday will cast their ballots in the 2026 midterms with plenty at stake.
Millions of Americans are heading to the polls on Tuesday, November 3, but the day is not recognized as an official federal holiday.
Since the federal government does not mandate closures, most corporate businesses, financial institutions, and essential public services operate normally. However, local closures depend on where you live.
NORTH HALEDON, NJ - February 10: A U.S. Post Office truck sits parked in a suburban neighborhood February 10, 2022 in NORTH HALEDON, NJ. (Photo by Michael Bocchieri/Getty Images)
Here is a breakdown of what is open and closed on Election Day 2026.
Mail delivery and post offices
What we know:
The United States Postal Service (USPS) is fully operational on Election Day. Post offices are open, and regular mail collection and delivery will continue without interruption.
The USPS also runs extra operations and "extraordinary measures" to handle ballot mail up to and on Election Day. Private delivery services, including FedEx, UPS, and Amazon, will also maintain their regular operating schedules.
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Banks and the stock market
Dig deeper:
Since Election Day is not a Federal Reserve holiday, the central bank and most local bank branches will remain open during their usual business hours.
Financial markets, including the New York Stock Exchange, will also trade under their normal hours.
Federal and state government offices
Big picture view:
Federal government offices will remain open. However, several states legally recognize Election Day as a state holiday, meaning state agencies and offices are closed.
For 2026, these states include Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Rhode Island, and West Virginia. In New York, it is recognized as a legal holiday but acts as a floating holiday for certain state workers, meaning some state offices stay open.
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Schools and retailers
Local perspective:
Major retail stores and grocery chains will remain open across the country.
Public school schedules, however, vary significantly by state and local school district. Many districts close schools entirely to utilize the buildings as polling centers or to give teachers a professional development day, so families should check their local district calendars directly.
The Source: Information from this article was sourced from the United States Postal Service, state websites, company websites and the Congressional Research Service.