Boston City Council to Close for Election Day

Council employees will receive a paid holiday on November 3 to support voting participation.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Civic Engagement

Boston City Council to Close for Election Day

Live Poll

Should city government employees receive a paid holiday on Election Day to support civic participation?

Boston City Council President Liz Breadon has declared Election Day, November 3, a holiday for Council employees. Offices will remain closed to encourage staff to volunteer as poll workers or participate in the voting process.

Why it matters

The measure aims to increase voter turnout by eliminating work-schedule conflicts for staff. Breadon emphasizes that the time off allows employees to support the Elections Department and engage more directly in the democratic process.

The City Council approved the holiday resolution in a 10-3 vote. While councilors earn an annual salary of $125,000, they have collectively received $21,500 in raises over the last three years.

The players

Liz Breadon

Liz Breadon is the Boston City Council President who led the initiative to grant staff a holiday on Election Day.

Boston City Council

The Boston City Council is the legislative body of the city that governs municipal ordinances and recently passed the resolution for the new holiday.

John FitzGerald

John FitzGerald is a member of the Boston City Council who cast a dissenting vote against the holiday resolution.

Ed Flynn

Ed Flynn is a member of the Boston City Council who voted against the measure to close offices on Election Day.

Erin Murphy

Erin Murphy is a Boston City Council member who opposed the resolution to establish the Election Day holiday.

The details

Council communications manager Candace Morales informed staff of the office closure via email following the successful vote. No public meetings or committee hearings are scheduled for November 3, allowing employees to take the day off without using personal or vacation time.

Last week the Council voted to pass the holiday resolution.
November 3, 2026, the date City Council offices will be closed.

Political Context

Opponents of the measure, including councilors John FitzGerald, Ed Flynn, and Erin Murphy, voted against the resolution. This reflects a broader debate among local officials regarding the scope of government office closures and administrative priorities on election days.

Residents should be aware that City Council offices will be inaccessible to the public for walk-in services on November 3. Citizens planning to conduct administrative business should schedule visits outside of this holiday date to avoid service delays.

The takeaway

This policy change highlights the ongoing efforts to remove structural barriers that prevent public servants from participating in local elections. Implementation of such policies provides a model for how government bodies can encourage civic duty through operational flexibility.