Urges Congress to make Election Day federal holiday in US.

SR74

SENATE RESOLUTION No. 74

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 19, 2026

Sponsored by:

Senator� LINDA R. GREENSTEIN

District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)

SYNOPSIS

���� Urges Congress to make Election Day federal holiday
in US.�

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

A Senate
Resolution
urging Congress to make Election
Day a federal holiday in the United States.

Whereas,

Election Day, which occurs annually on the first Tuesday after the first Monday
in November, allows United States citizens to exercise their fundamental right
to vote; and

Whereas,

Voting is a critical element of democracy because the public is able to elect
leaders and lawmakers, make decisions concerning public policy, and express
opinions at national, state, and local levels; and

Whereas,

Eight states across the country, including New Jersey, and the United States
Territory of Puerto Rico have designated Election Day as a state holiday to
encourage civic participation in elections and honor the nation�s democratic
rights; and

Whereas,

On average, only half of the nation�s voter-eligible public votes during
national general elections and a leading cause among eligible voters for not
voting was having a conflicting schedule that hindered their ability to vote;
and

Whereas,

Designating Election Day as a federal holiday will increase voter participation
by ensuring greater flexibility to vote and easing some of the obstacles that
negatively impact voter turnout, such as work schedules, school schedules, and
time constraints; and

Whereas,

Other countries, such as Belgium, Austria, France, Germany, Australia, and New
Zealand, whose elections occur on weekends, and therefore do not interfere with
citizens� work-week schedules, have seen much higher voter turnout rates
compared to those in the United States; and

Whereas,

Designating Election Day as a federal holiday will also allow polling places to
run more smoothly by spreading out the number of voters throughout the day and
by limiting long morning and evening voting lines, which are currently
problematic to those who are only able to vote before or after work; and

Whereas,

Increasing voter participation will also ensure elections are more
representative of the country and its communities; and

Whereas,

Respecting and championing the vote is essential to maintaining the highest
ideals of the United States, such as liberty, justice, and equality, and for
this reason, Election Day should be celebrated throughout the nation; now,
therefore,

����
Be It
Resolved
by the Senate of the State of New
Jersey:

���� 1.� This House urges Congress
to make Election Day a federal holiday.

���� 2.� Copies of this resolution,
as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of
the Senate to the
Majority and
Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leader
of the United States House of Representatives
, and the members of the
New Jersey congressional delegation.

STATEMENT

���� This resolution urges Congress
to make Election Day, which occurs each year on the first Tuesday after the
first Monday in the month of November, as a federal holiday in the United
States.

���� Voting is the most important
civic duty granted to the public by the United States Constitution. By voting,
the public is able to express their choice for who represents the country as
public officials and lawmakers and for important public policy decisions.
However, it is essential to increase voter participation and turnout in order
to ensure elections are truly representative of the public. Designating
Election Day as a federal holiday in the United States would increase voter
turnout by easing some of the obstacles deterring voters and ensuring greater
voter flexibility. In addition, it would emphasize to the public that the
election process, and each vote, matters.

���� For these reasons, Congress is
urged to make Election Day a federal holiday in the United States.