As voters hit the polls this Election Day, some may find themselves scrambling for last-minute votes—and possibly a quick cocktail—since many retailers remain open while others are taking a day off.

Despite the nationwide chaos of casting ballots, Americans can still grab their essentials (and a margarita) from big-box retailers like Walmart and Target, which are keeping their doors wide open. Although schools in New York City will close to provide a convenient voting experience, most banks and postal services will operate as normal, ensuring that you can send in your mail-in ballot—though ideally not after your third cocktail.

With the polls now full of eager voters, it’s worth noting that Election Day is not a federal holiday. This means that if you're hoping to withdraw your cash for what could potentially be a celebratory or commiserative evening, you might want to check your local bank’s hours, as not all branches will be operating as usual. While most ATMs will serve their purpose, certain local branches may decide to shut up shop for an unspecified reason—perhaps a secret bank holiday for employees? Not that anyone would ever find out.

On the bright side, the U.S. Postal Service will be dutifully delivering your mail on Election Day. Those who haven’t sent in their mail-in ballots are advised to get them stamped by October 29. If that sounds too late, consider this: people have been known to procrastinate—so don't be shocked if you encounter a few folks sending their ballots on Election Day while they swap wild election stories, which are often more thrilling than the actual action at the polls.

As for public transportation, New Yorkers can rejoice that their transit operations will remain unaffected. So, if you're planning to hit the polls or a local taco truck, the subway should still be running smoothly. Still, one might wonder what procedures might have been implemented if public transit did decide to take a day off. Perhaps a spontaneous pop-up parade of ballot-carrying pedestrians?

Speaking of tacos—if you find yourself needing a snack before or allegedly after casting your vote, several retailers, such as Walmart, Target, and Costco, will be open and ready to serve. However, you might want to keep an eye out for the Bath & Body Works location near your voting precinct. They’ve shifted their opening time to noon to allow employees to vote, which means shoppers will miss out on those signature candles for a brief while. But by noon, nothing says ‘I participated in democracy’ like making a bath-time purchase.

New York state takes a special stance on Election Day, as it's recognized as a public holiday, shutting down schools, state offices, and the courts. Presumably, the court system requires an uninterrupted day to contemplate the finer questions of democracy—like why the statement-age people would decide to display their ‘I Voted’ stickers on social media no less than twenty times during the day.

However, while it’s all quiet on the court front, alcohol sales are officially on the menu across most states. South Carolina, having repealed its ban on Election Day alcohol sales back in 2014, allows you to raise a glass whether margin of victory be narrow or landslide. So patrons can feel free to crack open a cold one, planning a festive toast after submitting their ballot. Who said balancing civic duties and leisure couldn’t go hand in hand?

As you navigate the myriad of options and closures, remember that maintaining a modicum of grace while being both a responsible citizen and a happy consumer may involve some juggling. The general spirit of the day proves we can mix the urgent reality of voting with the evident calmness of a shopping spree, just perhaps planners will innovate for the next cycle and declare a national taco truck holiday on top of it all.