Why Do Americans Vote on a Tuesday in November?
The act of voting is a fundamental component of democracy and a cornerstone of American society. But have you ever wondered why American elections happen on a Tuesday in November? This age-old tradition has its roots in early American history and in the election laws set by the first Congress of the United States. Although much has changed since the first election in 1788, the tradition of the nationwide Tuesday ballot has endured. Here we explain why Americans vote on a Tuesday in November.
Early American Voting Laws
When the United States was founded, the individual states had the right to determine the specifics of their own election laws. This meant there was considerable variation in when and how elections were held across the thirteen original states.
In 1792, Congress passed the Presidential Election Day Act which established that presidential elections would be held on the Tuesday after the first Monday of November. This was done in part to avoid interfering with the traditional harvest festivals around the country.
Election Day Becomes a Federal Holiday
In 1845, Congress made Election Day an official federal holiday. With the exception of certain states which held elections on other days – most notably as late as 1960, when Louisiana and Puerto Rico held its elections on Saturday – nearly every state had succumbed to the idea of the Tuesday vote by 1845.
Benefits of Tuesday Election Day
The Tuesday election day tradition offers several benefits for voters and for candidates. Saturating the news of the election on a Tuesday means the electors don’t get the news-cycle attention the rest of the week can bring. This minimizes the potential interference of last-minute influences in the voting decisions, while giving candidates a cohesive week to get their messages out.
The tradition also helps to ensure that people who work during the week can cast their vote. Having the federal holiday allows absentee and overseas ballots to arrive on time. Tuesday also helps to make sure that rural populations, who usually have more difficulty travelling to records offices and polling places, are less burdened by the logistics of voting.
The Social Aspect
The tradition of the Tuesday vote in November has been passed down for generations, making it a shared social experience for the entire nation. There’s something particularly special about casting your ballot on a Tuesday in November: Americans from all walks of life have this communal experience, from schoolchildren in civics classes to grandparents in nursing homes.
Facts and Figures
• In 1792, Congress instituted the Tuesday vote as part of the Presidential Election Day Act.
• In 1845, Congress made Election Day a federal holiday.
• Since 1960, all 50 states and Puerto Rico elect their candidates for national office on a Tuesday in November.
• Tuesday allows for careful consideration of candidates and ballot issues, without interfering with weekend activities.
• Tuesday is also the most convenient day for individuals to cast their ballots if they work during the week.
• Tuesday is the designated day of Election Day, regardless of the political party of the candidates.
• The tradition of the Tuesday vote in November has been passed down for generations, making it a shared social experience for the entire nation.
Americans vote on a Tuesday in November for a variety of practical and social reasons. From early American voting laws that entrenched the tradition to the usefulness of having a federal holiday on Election Day, it’s clear why this venerable tradition has remained intact for centuries. While much has changed in the United States since the first Tuesday vote in 1788, holding our elections on a Tuesday in November has remained a profoundly important part of American democracy.
