Election Day Holiday Project www.fairvote.org contact: Ryan Griffin (301) 270-4616 /
[email protected] The United States recognizes ten official federal holidays and a variety of state holidays. These holidays celebrate historical events such as • M arch (first Tues.), Town Meeting Day: Vt. Independence Day, leaders including George • M arch 2, Texas Independence Day: Tex. Washington and Martin Luther King, Jr. and the • M arch (first M on.), Casim ir Pulaski's m em ory of those who fought to keep this country Birthday: Ill. free. However, dem ocracy, arguably the m ost • M arch 17, Evacuation Day: Mass. (in Suffolk im portant piece of our national heritage, is not County) celebrated. Unlike m any other dem ocracies, the • M arch 20 (first day of spring), Youth Day: United States does not recognize Election Day as a Okla. national or even state holiday. An Election Day • M arch 22, Abolition Day: P.R. holiday could bring the benefits of higher voter • M arch 25, Maryland Day: Md. turnout through m ore available poll workers, • M arch 26, Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole reduced lines during early m orning and late Day: Hawaii afternoon and an increased awareness of the • M arch (last M on.), Seward's Day: Alaska election. Although an Election Day holiday is not a quick fix for dem ocratic reform it is at least as deserving of official recognition as any of the other holidays we recognize. In this spirit we offer a list of all state and federal holidays in the United States • April 2, Pascua Florida Day: Fla.