What You Need To Know
- Election Day always falls on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November
- Early November was after the harvest, but still ahead of winter
- Tuesday was the most convenient day for farmers to get to the polls
While the date itself may not align conveniently to most modern-day schedules, the date wasn’t just picked at random.
When Congress agreed to make one national election day in 1845, they selected the date centering it around the lifestyles of farmers at the time. That included considering when the growing season ended.
Why November?
Like daylight saving time, much of the decision to select a date for Election Day was geared toward the farmers, since they made up the bulk of the labor population back in the day.
Farmers spent much of the spring, summer and early fall months dedicated to their cultivating crops, leaving them little to no time to head to the polls. However, their schedules opened up again once the harvest was complete.
Choosing an early November date seemed to be the wisest option. Not only was it after the harvest, but it also occurred before winter. This allowed many citizens to get to the polls without worrying about the bitter cold or winter storms.
Why a Tuesday?
Carving out time to head to the polls on Tuesday may come as a modern-day inconvenience. But that wasn’t the case back in 1845, when Congress set that day of the week as a nationwide date to vote.
Many 19th century farmers usually spent Sundays as a day of rest and worship. After the harvesting season, they would spend Wednesday through Saturday working in the marketplace.
With that, Mondays and Tuesdays were the only two days farmers were available to vote. Unlike today, polling centers were few and far between, leaving only one or a select few within a day’s travel by foot or animal.
As a result, farmers used Monday for travel, leaving Tuesday the designated Election Day.
Election Day sometimes falls on the first Tuesday of November, but not always is the first Tuesday of the month.
Rather, it falls on the Tuesday following the first Monday of November.
This was to avoid Nov. 1, which many Christians honor as All Saints’ Day. As a result, Election Day typically falls between Nov. 2 and Nov. 8.
A change in date is up for debate
Even though many polling facilities stay opened for long hours on Election Day, many people nowadays argue that making it to the polls is a struggle during the workweek.
Unlike the 1800s, though, there are now options to cast early votes. Absentee and early voting are offered by nearly all states.
During the 2020 presidential election, implementation of the mail-in ballot was credited for the uptick in voter turnout. According to census data, approximately 66.8% of eligible Americans voted, making it the highest percentage in the century.
In attempts to increase voter turnout, some political leaders fought for making Election Day a national holiday to accommodate more citizens’ schedules. However, Election Day itself remains unchanged.
Conclusion
Election Day, which falls on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November, has a unique history that dates back to the 19th century. The selection of this date was influenced by the lifestyles of farmers, who made up the bulk of the labor population at the time. While the date may not align with modern-day schedules, it has remained unchanged since its inception.
FAQs
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Q: Why is Election Day on a Tuesday?
A: Election Day is on a Tuesday because it was the most convenient day for farmers to get to the polls in the 19th century. -
Q: Why is Election Day in November?
A: Election Day is in November because it was after the harvest and before winter, allowing farmers to get to the polls without worrying about the weather. - Q: Why is Election Day not a national holiday?
A: While some political leaders have fought for making Election Day a national holiday, it remains unchanged since its inception in the 19th century.
