Mrs Mephisto wants to know...
 

...why the US votes on a Tuesday.

I wasn't able to answer her.

In Australia the general election is held on a weekend, as that allows more people time to get to the polls. If the election was held during a working day, it would make it much harder for a lot of people to vote.

The only thing I could think of was that the sizeable Jewish community would prefer not to vote on Saturday and the sizeable Christian community would prefer not to vote on a Sunday. I doubt this is it though.

So, why does America vote on a Tuesday and not a weekend day?


Mr Mephisto

According to this site, it's because...well, I'll just copy & paste:



Of course, that was nearly 160 years ago...and the only good reason that I can find for it STILL being Tuesday is, "well, is there a better day?"

Oh, and it's the first Tuesday AFTER the first Monday to ensure that election day doesn't fall on November 1st. Which is All Saint's Day, and apparently a big Catholic holiday (I have no idea, since I'm not Catholic, so I'll just smile and nod :) )

It was the most convenient day that allowed the most people to get to the polls wihtout interfering with their religious observations. A day designed to allow the maximum number of people possible to have a say in how our government is run; truly what our founders would have wanted.

I was just wondering, Mr. Mephisto, why are you so interested in American politics??? Aren't you from Australia???

It's in our Constitution. We vote for President and, in general, Congressmen on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November every four years. There's no particular reason for it anymore...the historical justifications have been described above. There's really no reason to change it, do you think?

Plus, some states are allowing "early voting", but I don't know much about it, other than you can cast your vote days before the actual Election Day.

I've read that the official reason was that they didn't want the election to fal on the beginning of the month because of all the work people businesses do around the first of the month in paying bills and closing accounts and things like that. This way the earliest the election can be is November 2nd, and people will presumably be more availible to vote then on November 1st.

I think from Ireland, but now living in Australia.


In any case, isn't the world shrinking? The more appropriate question might be aimed back at us and ask why we aren't more interested in foreign politics than many currently are.

Very well said smooth. :)

I'm interested in all politics and I enjoy a good debate. Besides, the US election effects everyone, not just you crazy Yankees...

I'm more than happy to discuss Irish, British or Australia politics with anyone too, you know. :)


Mr Mephisto