Election Day (United States)

Election Day in the United States is the day when polls most often open for the election of elected public officials. Election Day happens on the Tuesday following the first Monday of November every year, i.e. the Tuesday between November 2 and November 8, inclusively.

Related Topics:
United States - Poll - Election - Tuesday - Monday - November - November 2 - November 8

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This rule was instituted by the U.S. Congress in 1845, and the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November was chosen to keep the election day from falling on November 1, All Saints' Day, a Holy Day of Obligation for Roman Catholics.

Related Topics:
U.S. Congress - 1845 - November 1 - All Saints' Day - Holy Day of Obligation - Roman Catholic

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Article One of the United States Constitution requires that any election for the U.S. President must occur on a single day throughout the country; elections for Congressional offices, however, can be held at different times.

Related Topics:
Article One of the United States Constitution - U.S. President

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Election Day is a legal holiday in some states, including Delaware, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maryland, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and West Virginia. Some other states have laws that allow workers to take time off from employment without reprisal, and often without loss in pay. There is a current bill in the House of Representatives that would make Election Day a National Holiday, Democracy Day.

Related Topics:
States - Delaware - Hawaii - Kentucky - Maryland - Montana - New Jersey - New York - Ohio - West Virginia - House of Representatives - National Holiday - Democracy Day

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