Primary Election Day 2026
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About Primary Election Day 2026
Primary Election Day 2026 falls on Tuesday, May 12. It falls on a Tuesday — take Monday, May 11 off for a four-day weekend.
Primary Election Day is a West Virginia state holiday on the second Tuesday in May of even-numbered years, when the state holds its statewide primary. State offices close and state employees get the day off; it is not a federal holiday, so mail, banks and federal offices operate normally.
History, state-by-state rules and dates →
What's closed: U.S. Post Office (USPS) — open; Banks — open; Stock market (NYSE, Nasdaq) — open; Federal offices — open; State and local government — varies. Full what's-open guide →
Primary Election Day in other years
| Year | Date | Day | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | May 12, 2026 | Tuesday | — |
Holidays after Primary Election Day 2026
- May 25, 2026 Memorial Day 2026 (Monday)
- Jun 19, 2026 Juneteenth National Independence Day 2026 (Friday)
- Jul 4, 2026 Independence Day 2026 (Saturday)
- Sep 7, 2026 Labor Day 2026 (Monday)
- Oct 12, 2026 Columbus Day 2026 (Monday)
Other holidays in May 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 4 | Mon | Rhode Island Independence Day | State holiday |
| May 5 | Tue | Cinco de Mayo | Observance |
| May 5 | Tue | Primary Election Day | State holiday |
| May 8 | Fri | Truman Day | State holiday |
| May 10 | Sun | Mother's Day | Observance |
| May 16 | Sat | Armed Forces Day | Observance |
| May 25 | Mon | Memorial Day | Federal holiday |
Quick facts
- Date in 2026
- Tuesday, May 12, 2026
- Date rule
- Second Tuesday in May, even-numbered years only
- Legal status
- West Virginia state holiday (W. Va. Code 2-2-1); not a federal holiday
- Primary date set by
- W. Va. Code 3-5-1 (second Tuesday in May, every second year from 1986)
- Who gets the day off
- State employees; most county offices and many schools also close
- Poll hours
- 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Frequently asked questions
What day is Primary Election Day in 2026?
Primary Election Day 2026 is on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
Is Primary Election Day a day off in 2026?
Primary Election Day is a state holiday in the states that observe it, so government offices close. Private employers decide for themselves.
How many days until Primary Election Day 2026?
Primary Election Day 2026 was 173 days ago, on May 12, 2026.