Election Day is less than a month away, and as the big day approaches, many Arizonans are making time in their schedules to vote.
Election Day should prove to be the biggest day of the year, at least from a political perspective. Being in a swing state like Arizona, there is much more pressure on voters to make their voices heard in this election.
From a practical perspective, going to a voting center or filling out a ballot can take quite a bit of time, but it is of utmost importance.
Here’s information about the approaching Election Day, including information about its status as a federal holiday, voting hours in Arizona and the amount of time it will take to complete this year’s ballot.
When is election day?
Election day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
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Is Election Day a Federal Holiday?
No, Election Day is not a federal holiday.
However, attempts have been made to form one. In 2021, the “Election Day Holiday Act” or the “Freedom to Vote Act” was introduced, but was not passed into law.
The proposed law would have placed Election Day on the calendar as a federal holiday, allowed voter registration and same-day voting, expanded acceptable forms of identification for voting, and facilitated the process of voting by mail without specific excuses are necessary.
What time are the polls open on election day?
Arizona polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m., giving individuals plenty of time to visit a polling place before or after work.
Do I have to queue to vote?
Depending on where you cast your vote, you may have to wait in line.
Some polling stations have only a few voting booths, so if a large number of people enter those locations at the same time, lines can form.
A Pew Research survey found that on Election Day in 2020, 35% of people who voted in person said they didn’t line up to vote at all. 27% said they waited less than 10 minutes, 20% said they waited 10 to 30 minutes, and 11% said they waited 31 minutes to an hour.
However, there will likely be more in-person voters in 2024 than in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic prompted more Americans to vote by mail.
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How much time does it take to vote?
Generally, an hour is enough time to get to a polling place and fill out a ballot, but the amount of time it takes to fill out a ballot varies depending on the person.
Voting time also changes depending on the races people vote for. For example, some people may choose not to vote on down-ballot races and initiatives, which will shorten their voting time.
2024 is both a federal and state election year. There are also provincial and municipal elections that can be voted on, so the voting rounds will be long.
Does my job give me a break from voting?
Some workplaces have built-in breaks in the middle of the day so employees can vote. Some workplaces even allow you to stay on the clock while you go to a polling place.
Reach the reporter at zbradshaw@gannett.com or at X at @ZachBradshaw14.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Is Election Day a holiday? What Arizonans should know
