The USA traditionally votes on Tuesday. But why this particular day of the week? This lies in history and is linked to agricultural and religious circumstances.
On November 5, 2024, a new president will be elected in the United States. Voters must choose between the Democrats’ Kamala Harris and the Republicans’ Donald Trump. As with every election, the 2024 US election will again take place on a Tuesday – but why on this unusual day of the week?
All elections in the USA historically fall on Tuesdays in November
For almost 180 years, Americans have stuck to a strict schedule: the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. This unusual date was set by the US Congress in 1845. The reason for this decision was pragmatic. Sunday as the Lord’s Day when everyone had to go to church, Saturday as market day and Thursday because the then hated British had their election day on that day were excluded from the start.
The choice should take place after harvest but before winter. This was necessary because the weather and the sometimes long distances to the ballot box played a role. Monday was also excluded because it served as the arrival day. So only Tuesday remained as the residents had to be back on Thursday.
On Super Tuesday, many states elect their presidential candidate
Around 30 years later, Tuesday was also set as election day for the House of Representatives and then in 1915 for the vote for the Senate, the second chamber of the US Congress. The gubernatorial elections are now also taking place on this day of the week. The term “Super Tuesday” has now become an integral part of the news and describes the day in the primary election campaign on which voting takes place in many states at once. The fate of the candidates is often decided on this day.
Further news about the 2024 US election:
