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HB 64

State holidays, adding Election Day as a state holiday

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Ontario Tillman

Alabama bill designates Election Day as state holiday to potentially increase voter participation by removing scheduling barriers for employees.

Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on State Government
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 64

Legislative bill overview

HB 64 proposes to designate Election Day as an official state holiday in Alabama. This would make Election Day (typically the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November for general elections) a paid holiday for state employees and likely would affect business operations statewide.

Why is this important

Making Election Day a state holiday could increase voter participation by removing scheduling barriers for workers who might otherwise struggle to find time to vote. However, it also raises practical questions about how state operations continue during elections and whether the measure would meaningfully affect turnout given early voting and absentee ballot options already available in Alabama.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Determining whether state employees receive paid time off and how government services operate on the holiday carries budgetary implications
  • Effectiveness debate: Proponents argue it increases voting access; skeptics note that Alabama already permits early voting and absentee voting, potentially limiting the policy's impact
  • Business sector impact: Private businesses may resist pressure to close or give employees time off if the state designates it a holiday but doesn't mandate private sector compliance

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

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