Tribute to tradition: Why elections in US always take place on Tuesday
Voting in US elections (photo: Getty Images)
In the US, presidential and congressional election takes place on Tuesday, unlike in most other countries, which typically hold elections on Sunday.
Elections in the US are always held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. This year, the voting date falls on November 5, reflecting a long-standing tradition.
When the US became an independent nation in the late 18th century, there was no standardized voting day. Each state set its date for elections, which could occur within 34 days leading up to the first Wednesday in December when the Electoral College traditionally convened.
However, this system had its drawbacks. States that held elections earlier would publish their voting results, potentially influencing the outcomes in states that voted later. Establishing a uniform election day helped mitigate the undue influence of late states on the election process.
The relevant law was passed only in 1845. However, the question arose: which day of the week should be chosen for elections?
At that time, the US was still predominantly an agrarian society. Farmers, who made up the majority of the population, were busy with fieldwork for much of the year, including planting, tending, and harvesting crops. Early November was a convenient time for voting, as the harvest had ended, but the weather was still relatively mild.
Yet even during this season, not all days were suitable for voting. Most Americans were devout Christians, reserving Sunday for church attendance. In many areas, Wednesday was market day, when farmers sold their produce in towns. Additionally, farmers often needed a day to travel to the city. In rural areas, the nearest polling place could be several miles away, and in an era without cars, getting there could take considerable time.
Considering these limitations and logistical challenges, Tuesday was chosen as the optimal day for voting.
The complex phrasing of the Tuesday after the first Monday was adopted to avoid having election day fall on November 1, which was seen as unfavorable because some Christians celebrate it as All Saints' Day. In modern-day America, Halloween is celebrated on the night of October 31. Additionally, merchants typically used the first day of the month for settling accounts from the previous month.
While Tuesday was selected for convenience, voting on this day is now often perceived as a hindrance. A small minority of Americans were involved in agriculture by 2024, while the majority worked on Tuesdays. As a result, there are increasing calls in the US to move elections to the weekend. Another option is to keep election day on Tuesday but make it a federal holiday. However, any changes would require a vote in Congress.
Two key candidates in the US election, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, participated in debates on September 10. According to polling data, Kamala Harris emerged as the winner of the debates.
