Schools, Offices to Close for Special Primary Election on February 4, 2020

November 25th, 2019

All Howard County Public School System schools and offices will be closed on Tuesday, February 4, 2020, due to the special primary election to fill the 7th congressional district seat vacated following the passing of Rep. Elijah Cummings. HCPSS schools and offices already are scheduled to be closed April 28, 2020, when the special general election will be held.

HCPSS schools and offices are typically closed on all election days as county school buildings are used as polling sites by the Howard County Board of Elections. Students and staff are not able to access school buildings for instruction while elections are underway.

As this closing was not originally listed on the HCPSS calendar, this announcement is being made as early as possible to allow families to plan ahead for the closure. HCPSS has reached out to community partners who typically provide camps and other programs on non-school days to encourage them to provide similar opportunities on February 4. Additionally, our Office of Food and Nutrition Services is exploring the possibility of opening food sites where free lunches could be served to children under the age of 18.

The school system plans to apply to the Maryland State Department of Education for a waiver of the closing day.