Two Facts About Election Day

In the United States, we vote in November. But have you ever wondered why that is? 

November was chosen because, back in the 1800s, most people were farmers. By November, the harvest was done, and it wasn’t too snowy yet, making it easier to travel.

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We also vote on Tuesday, another fact that was originally impacted by the weather, logistics and farming. 
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Election Day in the U.S. is always the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. It's been this way since 1845.
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Most Americans were devout Christians and thus set aside Sunday as a day of rest and worship. Wednesday in many areas was a market day, when farmers sold their crops in town.
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In addition, a travel day was sometimes required. In rural areas, the nearest polling place might have been several miles away, and, in an era before automobiles, getting there could take a while.
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If people couldn’t use Sunday or Wednesday as their travel day, then that meant election day couldn’t be on Monday or Thursday, either. And so Tuesday was perceived as the best option.