WeVote
Log In

Bill

WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 3403

Bill Summary: HB 3403 (2026) – Creates a New State Holiday for Election Day and Requires Colleges and Universities to Close Unless Used as Polling Places

Purpose and intent

HB 3403 establishes a new state-recognized holiday on Election Day and requires higher education institutions to close on that day unless they are functioning as polling places. The bill appears aimed at increasing voter access and turnout by designating a dedicated holiday and prioritizing polling operations at colleges and universities.

Key provisions

  • Establishment of a new state holiday:

    • Election Day would be designated as an official state holiday.
    • The holiday status may affect government offices, public agencies, and state services, depending on implementing language (the text provided does not specify exemptions beyond higher education facilities, so general public sector implications would follow the standard practice for state holidays in Missouri).

  • Impact on colleges and universities:

    • All colleges and universities in Missouri would be required to close on Election Day unless they are actively used as polling places.
    • If an institution serves as a polling place, it would remain open to support voting, but only in that capacity.

  • Operational exceptions and considerations:

    • Institutions acting as polling locations would need to coordinate with election authorities to ensure polling logistics, staffing, and security.
    • The bill may include provisions regarding the timing of opening/closing for polling location use, access for voters, and backups in case of weather or other disruptions (the summary note does not specify these details; they would be defined in the bill’s text).

  • Sponsorship:

    • Co-sponsor: Eric Woods.

Who would be affected

  • State government and public offices: Likely observed as a holiday, affecting scheduling and operations of state agencies and potentially requiring adjustments to calendars, service availability, and employee pay/leave policies consistent with state holiday practices.
  • Colleges and universities (public and private): Required to close on Election Day unless designated as polling sites. This includes administrative offices, campuses, and associated facilities not used for polling.
  • Voters and election operations: Potentially increased access to voting due to a designated holiday and the presence of polling locations on college campuses. Institutions serving as polling places would support election administration.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Action history:
    • Introduced and Read First Time: February 24, 2026
    • Read Second Time: February 25, 2026
    • Referred to Emerging Issues (H): May 15, 2026
  • Next steps (if enacted): The bill would proceed through committee review (Emerging Issues) and, if advanced, onward to full House consideration, potential Senate action, and any final conference or veto processes depending on legislative flow.

Potential implications and considerations

  • Public accessibility and turnout: Designating Election Day as a holiday may reduce work-related barriers to voting and encourage participation.
  • Higher education operations: Institutions would need to plan around closures or polling-site use, including potential impacts on campus services, student employment, and campus events.
  • Labor and staffing: State holiday status may affect compensation, leave, or payroll considerations for state employees, in line with Missouri holiday policies.
  • Equity and logistics: The impact on rural vs. urban campuses, and the capacity of institutions to serve as effective polling locations, would be important to assess during committee deliberations.

If you’d like, I can pull the full text (once available) and provide line-by-line notes on how each provision would be implemented in practice.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.