Election Day
Why is election day the first Tuesday in November?
For much of our history, America was a predominantly agrarian society. Law makers therefore took into account that November was perhaps the most convenient month for farmers and rural workers to be able to travel to the polls. The fall harvest was over, but in the majority of the nation the weather was still mild enough to permit travel over unimproved roads. Because many Americans had to travel a significant distance to the county seat in order to vote, Monday was not considered reasonable because many people would need to begin travel on Sunday.If they had to travel on Sunday that would conflict with church. Lawmakers wanted to prevent election day from falling on the first of November for two reasons. November 1st is All Saints Day, a Holy Day of Obligation for Roman Catholics, and most merchants were in the habit of doing their books from the preceding month on the 1st. Apparently, Congress was worried that the economic success or failure of the previous month might prove an undue influence on the vote.
Election day is a holiday in:
- Delaware
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Michigan
- Montana
- West Virginia
Niki Tsongas
Democrat
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| district she represents |
Senators:
Sen. Edward Markey and Sen. Elizabeth Warren ; both democrats
Massachusetts House of Representatives
Thomas A. Golden Jr.
Nicola Tsongas
Massachusetts Senate
Eileen M. Donoghue
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| Governor |
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| federal government |
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| MA flag |
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