Why this date? Some politicians try to win reelection by making it harder for certain populations and demographics to vote. On November 3rd the eyes of the world will be focused on the US Election. Voting Before Election Day. National Geographic Headquarters The end of the day’s voting will bring major delegate allocations and answer some of the questions looming over the Democratic primary. Typically in the United States, national elections draw large numbers of voters compared to local elections. Spring and early summer elections were thought to interfere with the planting season, and late summer and early fall elections overlapped with the harvest. Hip Hop Community News, Hip Hop News | Trending Hip Hop Stories, News Exclusives. 10. No matter what you believe or whom you support, it is important to exercise your rights. So why is election day so important for stock market. Election Day was set by Congress back in 1845 -- it's always the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Jeanna Sullivan, National Geographic Society, Sarah Appleton, National Geographic Society In most cases, landowning white men were eligible to vote, while white women, black people, and other disadvantaged groups of the time were excluded from voting (known as disenfranchisement). There is no national primary voting day, but Super Tuesday is as close as it comes. That it … You cannot download interactives. Knowing the early voting results could affect turnout and sway opinion in states that held late elections, and those same last-minute voters could potentially decide the outcome of the entire election. If a media asset is downloadable, a download button appears in the corner of the media viewer. Many people in countries around the world do not have the same freedom, nor did many Americans in centuries past. electors representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia, responsible for officially electing the President and Vice-President of the United States. This indirect election method was seen as a balance between the popular vote and using a state’s representatives in Congress to elect a president.Because the Constitution did not specifically say who could vote, this question was largely left to the states into the 1800s. That's why it's incredibly important to take time before Election Day to learn what each candidate believes and what they plan to do if elected. These politicians may use strategies such as reducing polling locations in predominantly African American or Lantinx neighborhoods, or only having polling stations open during business hours, when many disenfranchised populations are working and unable to take time off.It was not until the 15th Amendment was passed in 1869 that black men were allowed to vote. This year ’ s presidential election, just weeks away, has often been characterized as the most important election of our lifetimes. Clinton had won the national popular vote by nearly three million votes, but the concentration of Trump voters in key districts in “swing” states like Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan helped seal enough electoral votes to win the presidency.Your vote may not directly elect the president, but if your vote joins enough others in your voting district or county, your vote undoubtedly matters when it comes to electoral results. It … African Americans and women of all ethnicities have fought, and continue to fight, especially hard to have their voices heard. A voter is a citizen who has the legal right to help make decisions for the nation. On Election Day, most voters may deliver their absentee ballots directly to their normal polling place, but it must arrive before polls close at … Below are six interesting facts about the history of Election Day: The Election Day was first coined in 1845. The answer stems from the agrarian makeup of 19th-century America. The audio, illustrations, photos, and videos are credited beneath the media asset, except for promotional images, which generally link to another page that contains the media credit. The little state has a big first-mover advantage come primary season member of a country, state, or town who shares responsibilities for the area and benefits from being a member. Changes Drawn on Election Day The Most Important Election. AFAIK, election day is the final cut off for voting, no results are declared on that day. Without elections, democracy isn't based on the wants and needs of the people. But what does it really mean? But unfortunately, over the last few years, states across the country have thrown up roadblocks to the right to vote. When you reach out to him or her, you will need the page title, URL, and the date you accessed the resource. These articles provide insight into a breadth of important issues facing our world today, including the environment, civic engagement, and history. Thousands of parents and educators are turning to the kids’ learning app that makes real learning truly fun. The leaders that are chosen then have the opportunity to vote and institute rules that represent what the people would have selected. Each article offers multiple reading levels; choose the level best suited for your learner and allow them to explore! A History of Voting in the United StatesToday, most American citizens over the age of 18 are entitled to vote in federal and state elections, but voting was not always a default right for all Americans. The answer lies with America’s 19th-century farmers. If you have questions about licensing content on this page, please contact ngimagecollection@natgeo.com for more information and to obtain a license. All rights reserved. selection of people to public office by vote. Although the election did not come down to a handful of votes in one state, Trump’s votes in the Electoral College decided a tight race. Elections have been the usual mechanism by which modern representative democracy has operated since the 17th century. Join our community of educators and receive the latest information on National Geographic's resources for you and your students. First, an eligible citizen registers to vote, studies the candidates and issues, looks up their polling location, then casts their ballot during the election. Though November 3 is billed as Election Day in America, even if the results are known as a winner declared, the actually election for President of the United States occurs on December 14. In the end, Bush won Florida by 0.009 percent of the votes cast in the state, or 537 votes. Shouldn't the day (not sure, but I think sometimes in December) when we get to know the final result on who wins the election matter to the stock market instead of election day? Margot Willis, National Geographic Society. But any federal election involving the Electoral College needed to be resolved by mid-December. Election Day is seen as when Americans choose their next President and the end of the process. You might have heard that both candidates are hoping to … Elections may fill offices in the legislature, sometimes in the executive and judiciary, and for regional and local … Had 600 more pro-Gore voters gone to the polls in Florida that November, there may have been an entirely different president from 2000–2008.More recently, Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in 2016 by securing a close Electoral College win. On the eve of Election Day in 2016, the then-vice president told a crowd in Virginia that “there has never been a more important tomorrow in modern electoral history.” The Electoral College assigns a number of representative votes per state, typically based on the state’s population. Conyers argued that an Election Day holiday would boost voter turnout and raise people's awareness of the importance of voting and civic participation. If no button appears, you cannot download or save the media. Informed voting and participating in elections is one of the responsibilities of citizens of the United States. tax levied on all voters, often serving as a financial obstacle to poor citizens. Elections constitute essence of a Democracy in which people's representatives are elected by the adult population of a country. In the 1800s, most citizens worked as farmers and lived far from their polling place. So states were left to pick their own election days, including when elections for federal offices were held. Elections are important for the following reasons: The Singular Importance of Your Vote—And the Steps You Need To Take Before Election Day Kara Jillian Brown ・ July 20, 2020 Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on pinterest Share on email Later, in 1971, the American voting age was lowered to 18, building on the idea that if a person was old enough to serve their country in the military, they should be allowed to vote.With these constitutional amendments and legislation like the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the struggle for widespread voting rights evolved from the Founding Fathers’ era to the late 20th century.Why Your Vote MattersIf you ever think that just one vote in a sea of millions cannot make much of a difference, consider some of the closest elections in U.S. history.In 2000, Al Gore narrowly lost the Electoral College vote to George W. Bush. Today is election day and we’re encouraging people to make sure their voices are heard by not only getting out and voting, but getting out the vote. The math game explained Well, it’s not about congestion on Interstate 270 feeding commuters into Washington, D.C. It’s about who’s going to sit in the White House for the next four years Voting is a fundamental process in a democratic system. © 1996 - 2021 National Geographic Society. Terms of Service |    However, on September 25, 2018, the bill was reintroduced as the Democracy Day Act of 2018 by Vermont’s … Election Day is now a civic holiday in several states including Delaware, Hawaii, New York, New Jersey and the territory of Puerto Rico. Election 2020 Why Jan. 6 Is Key Date for Trump’s Election Gripes By . There are also local and state elections to consider. Americans first began the custom of weekday voting in 1845, when Congress passed a federal law designating the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November as Election Day. The decision to make the first Tuesday of November Election Day can be considered a rather curious one. Fifteen contests will be held across the nation on Tuesday. That is why it’s important to regularly check if you are eligible to vote in your district. Before then, states were allowed to hold elections any time they pleased within a 34-day period before the first Wednesday in December, but this system had a few crucial flaws. someone or something who acts in place of a group of people. But why a Tuesday in November? National Election Day, one of the most important days in the US is celebrated on the first Tuesday which follows the first Monday every November. In the United States, Election Day is the annual day set by law for the general elections of federal public officials.It is statutorily set by the Federal Government as "the Tuesday next after the first Monday in the month of November" equaling the Tuesday occurring within November 2 to November 8. HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. Voting rights in the United States have not always been equally accessible. Twice a week we compile our most fascinating features and deliver them straight to you. Why the fate of the American republic—and the world—could depend on what happens Nov. 3. Weekends were impractical, since most people spent Sundays in church, and Wednesday was market day for farmers. Plus, the experienced political reporter shares what he hopes to learn from Wisconsin's midterm elections.To participate, text 'election' to 414-269-6404. Why Election Day is Not the Most Important Day on the Calendar by Kathy Lien. issues surrounding the legal right and ability to campaign and cast a vote in political elections. Elections are organized way through which people cast their votes and elect their representatives to various public positions. Washington, DC 20036, National Geographic Society is a 501 (c)(3) organization. By Michael Hirsh | September 25, 2020, 2:07 PM. For federal offices (president, vice president, and United States Congress) and … Sustainability Policy |  Ever. You may not be able to walk into a voting booth, but there are things you can do to get involved: Participating in elections is one of the key freedoms of American life. Faced with these issues, Congress created the current Election Day in the hope of streamlining the voting process. Kiah Fields. The United States Constitution, as originally written, did not define specifically who could or could not vote—but it did establish how the new country would vote.Article 1 of the Constitution determined that members of the Senate and House of Representatives would both be elected directly by popular vote. Although Election Day is usually the answer to who will be the President for the next four years this year all bets are off. Other proposals to boost voter turnout include having elections take place over several days or allowing voting to take place by mail or computers. Teach your students about the importance of voting with these resources. During elections, people have the opportunity to choose who they would like to represent them. FACT CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness. Election Day: Why Is Today’s Election Important? (At first, it applied only to presidential elections, but it was later extended to congressional elections as well.) vote totals for a candidate or issue, made by all qualified voters. The election came down to a recount in Florida, where Bush had won the popular vote by such a small margin that it triggered an automatic recount and a Supreme Court case (Bush v. Gore). 5. 20 comments Privacy Notice |  Try Kids Academy with 3-day FREE TRIAL! Set statutorily as the Tuesday following the 1st Monday of November or the 1st Tuesday after the 1st of November, the earliest possible date for Election Day is usually the 2nd of November while the latest possible date is the 8th of November. The Economist explains Why Iowa matters so much in the presidential election. While presidential or other national elections usually get a significant voter turnout, local elections are typically decided by a much smaller group of voters.A Portland State University study found that fewer than 15 percent of eligible voters were turning out to vote for mayors, council members, and other local offices. Any interactives on this page can only be played while you are visiting our website. But even so, many would-be voters faced artificial hurdles like poll taxes, literacy tests, and other measures meant to discourage them from exercising their voting right. The importance of voting rights on election day. Election Day in 2018 will fall on the 6 th of November. https://www.nationalgeographic.org/article/why-voting-important Would you believe it if anyone told you that the origin of this observation dates back to the 1800s when America was primarily an agricultural economy? An election is a formal group decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual or multiple individuals to hold public office.. Why is Election Day celebrated? Though it eventually gained 110 cosponsors, the bill was never considered by the full House. reducing polling locations in predominantly African American or Lantinx neighborhoods, or only having polling stations open during business hours, when many disenfranchised populations are working and unable to take time off. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! While making Election Day a national holiday or moving it to the weekend would by no means be a cure-all, it could be used in conjunction with other strategies like automatic voter registration (nearly 87% of registered voters participated in the 2016 election), restoring voting rights for formerly incarcerated people and removing other barriers such as voter ID … She or he will best know the preferred format. The reason for voting to be held in November is because it is a time when the harvest is coming to an end, and people are less busy comparatively. Here's why the 2018 midterms are important 1. In all, voting is a constitutional right and privilege that Americans have. With this in mind, Tuesday was selected as the first and most convenient day of the week to hold elections. Farm culture also explains why Election Day always falls in November. The … The Rights Holder for media is the person or group credited. Polls close at various times beginning at […] state that is equally statistically likely to vote for either of the two major United States political parties, making it key to victory in an election. © 2021 A&E Television Networks, LLC. Elections in Colonial America Were Huge, Booze-Fueled Parties, These US Elections Saw the Highest Voter Turnout Rates. Originally, election days varied by state, but in 1845 a law was passed to set a single election day for the entire country. It is a chance for the citizens of a country to have a say in the people who represent them or an issue that impacts them. November 7, 2017. activities designed to achieve a social, political, or military goal. Every election, everyone says, “Now I know every election everyone says, ‘This is the most important election of our lifetime,’ but this time it actually is the most important.” What issues do students want to ask candidates about? Low turnout means that important local issues are determined by a limited group of voters, making a single vote even more statistically meaningful.How You Can Make Your Voice HeardIf you are not yet 18, or are not a U.S. citizen, you can still participate in the election process. While no longer explicitly excluded, voter suppression is a problem in many parts of the country. Gina Borgia, National Geographic Society Making the election the first Tuesday after the first Monday also ensured that the election would never be held on Nov. 1, which is All Saints Day, a Catholic holy day of obligation. Most states have a “winner take all” system where the popular vote winner gets the state’s electoral votes. Text on this page is printable and can be used according to our Terms of Service. This would continue until the 24th Amendment in 1964, which eliminated the poll tax, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which ended Jim Crow laws. In Cast Your Vote, students choose the questions in a debate, rate candidates' responses, and vote for the candidate of their choice. Many activists have called for Election Day to become a federal holiday, so people can take time to vote without missing work. The weather and farming dictated when elections were held. It makes the overall scheme of the country’s further well-being. Daniel Flatley. Women were denied the right to vote until 1920, when the long efforts of the women’s suffrage movement resulted in the 19th Amendment.With these amendments removing the previous barriers to voting (particularly sex and race), theoretically all American citizens over the age of 21 could vote by the mid 1960s. “Voting is your civic duty.” This is a pretty common sentiment, especially each November as Election Day approaches. At that time, the United States was still a largely agrarian society. Since people often traveled at least a day to vote, lawmakers needed to allow a two-day window for Election Day. Join Us for Election Night Live Trading! Election Day … If you have questions about how to cite anything on our website in your project or classroom presentation, please contact your teacher. It is about the belief of the power which will bring forward consistent changes in peaceful circumstances. 1145 17th Street NW That left the late fall month of November—after the harvest was complete, but before the arrival of harsh winter weather—as the best choice. Because of this, elections are essential. For information on user permissions, please read our Terms of Service.