The First Tuesday After the First Monday in November

Why We Vote When We Do

Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash

Issue #63 American History June 7, 2022

Elections for federal offices—the President, the Vice President, and members of Congress—are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years, except for special elections to fill unexpired terms. State and local elections for major offices are often held on the same day as federal elections, but not always.

The president and vice president are elected every four years, House representatives every two years, and Senators every six years.

Over the years since the beginning of this country, the United States Constitution and Congress have set the dates for federal elections, but the administration of elections is primarily left up to the states.

As with most of our laws, most things concerning voting in the United States have changed over the years, as the Constitution is supposed to be a living, evolving document. 

What laws were passed in the 18th century are often not what is needed in the 20th and 21st centuries.

Also as with most things, the reason the laws were originally and the reasons the laws have changed over the years have to do with politics and with religion.

What Does the Constitution Say?