First Tuesday of November

Tomorrow is the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November, better known as Election Day. 

A uniform date for presidential elections was enacted by the Congress in 1845. Why was November chosen? In the 1840s the US was largely an agronomy society. By early November, harvesting would be completed and the winter snows would not have set in. Short distance transportation was accomplished by foot or hoof. It could easily take citizens a day to get to their polling location. Throw in astute political intuition that Sunday Sabbath was absolute, Monday would be needed by many to get to the polls, and Tuesday became the day to vote. So what is up with the first Tuesday after the first Monday thing? Well the Electoral College must convene the first Wednesday in December with the election held at most 34 days prior. Some bright soul figured out that if there is a November Monday before the first November Tuesday the math works.

This year some Senate seats and all of the House of Representatives seats are up for grabs. As are a host of State and local races around the country. Here in my corner of New Jersey we have County Freeholders and School Board races coming to a conclusion. What will that conclusion be? That is up to you and me. So exercise your civic duty and go vote!

PS. To anyone that votes at the Roxbury High School, we have treats and I Voted stickers!