Creates a new state holiday for election day and requires colleges and universities to close unless used as a polling place
Summary
HB358 would amend Missouri law to create Election Day as a new state holiday by adding the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of even-numbered years to the list of public holidays in section 9.010, RSMo. The bill also repeals the existing holiday statute and reenacts it in updated form, while preserving the rest of the state holiday schedule.
In addition, the bill adds a new section, 173.015, directing the governing board to require all colleges and universities to be closed on the general election day unless the institution is being used as a polling place. The practical effect is to free students, faculty, and staff to vote and to reduce normal campus activity on Election Day, while allowing campuses that host polling locations to remain open for that purpose.
Impact
HB358 would change Missouri’s public holiday law by formally recognizing Election Day as a state holiday for state employees and other purposes tied to the holiday statute. It would also impose a new closure requirement on colleges and universities on general election day, which would affect higher education institutions statewide, except where campuses are needed as polling places. The bill would not alter election procedures directly, but it would create a legal framework intended to make voting more accessible and to reduce conflicts between campus operations and election administration.
Sentiment
The bill’s stated purpose and caption suggest a generally pro-election-access and pro-voter sentiment, with the measure framed as a way to support participation in the general election. Because no committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, there is no direct evidence of debate or opposition in the available materials. Based on the text alone, the bill appears to be presented as a straightforward election-day accommodation measure rather than a controversial policy change.
Contention
The main potential point of contention is the operational impact on colleges and universities, which would be required to close on general election day unless serving as polling places. Institutions may view this as disruptive to classes, staffing, and campus services, while supporters would likely argue that the closure promotes voting access and civic participation. Another possible issue is the scope of the holiday designation itself, since making Election Day a state holiday can have budgetary and administrative implications for state government and employers.