Why “Election Day” is Election Day

November 5, 2024, is the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November. That means it’s Election Day. But why? The decision dates back to 1845 when Congress passed a law standardizing the date for federal elections. It was made with practicality in mind, taking into account the country's agrarian society and religious practices at the time.

Why November?

In the mid-19th century, the U.S. was primarily a farming nation, and November was a practical time for farmers. The harvest season was generally over by then, but winter weather hadn’t fully set in yet, making it easier for people to travel to polling places. Holding elections earlier, say in October, might have interfered with the busy harvest season, while holding them later could have meant battling snow and icy roads.

Why Tuesday?

In those days, travel wasn’t easy. Many people lived far from polling places, which were often located in central towns. Most Americans traveled by horse-drawn carriages or on foot, and getting to a polling place might take a day. Congress didn’t want to set Election Day on a Sunday, as that was considered a day of rest and worship for most Christian communities. Monday was also out of the question because if people had to travel on Sunday to get to the polls, it would conflict with religious observances. By setting Election Day on a Tuesday, people could travel on Monday, vote on Tuesday, and return home before midweek obligations, such as market days or church services.

Why "after the first Monday"?

The rule about the first Tuesday after the first Monday prevents Election Day from falling on November 1, a date that had potential conflicts. November 1 is All Saints' Day, a religious holiday observed by many Christians, and it was also the day many businesses settled their books for the previous month.

Election Day was established to accommodate the lifestyles and traditions of 19th-century Americans, and it remains in place today, a legacy of a time when horse-drawn carriages and farming schedules shaped the nation’s political life.